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Dear  Sir : 

This  volume  is  compiled,  printed  and 
distributed  during  the  absence  of  Hon.  Charles  S. 
Francis  from  this  country,  and  without  his  knowl 
edge.  Knowing  you  to  be  his  personal  friend, 
and  finding  your  address  in  his  book  of  private 
addresses  at  The  Troy  Times  office,  we  take  the 
liberty  of  sending  you  this  copy  of  a  friendly 

tribute. 

Respectfully, 

JAMES   H.    POTTS. 
W.    H.  AN  DERSON. 


CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE. 


TROY,  N.  Y. 
NINETEEN  HUNDRED  AND  ONE. 


£  STE 


INTRODUCTION. 


This  volume  is  dedicated  to  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis  by 
the  compilers,  and  is  intended  only  for  circulation  among 
his  friends.  It  is  a  personal  tribute.  The  occasion 
thereof  is  the  appointment  by  President  McKinley  of 
Mr.  Francis  to  the  position  of  Envoy  Extraordinary 
and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the  United  States  to 
Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  with  the  demonstration 
of  respect,  marvelous  in  extent  and  intensity,  with  which 
press  and  people  received  the  appointment. 

The  expressions  which  have  been  made  justify,  in  our 
opinion,  their  collection  in  a  permanent  form.  We  are 
not  at  all  sure  that  this  work  of  compilation,  performed 
clandestinely  in  Mr.  Francis'  absence  from  this  country 
and  without  his  knowledge  and  consent,  will  be  approved 
by  him.  But  we  have  taken  the  liberty  of  friends,  and 
if  in  so  doing  we  have  offended  his  own  feeling  of  reserve 
and  idea  of  modesty,  we  must  throw  ourselves  upon  his 
mercy.  Ours  be  the  blame,  if  any.  But  we  are  confident 
that  the  host  of  friends  of  Mr.  Francis  will  applaud  our 
act,  will  rejoice  that  this  deserved  testimonial  to  him  is 
now  in  existence  and  will  assure  him  that  though  we 
may  not  have  pleased  him  by  bringing  together  this 
gallery  of  portraiture  drawn  by  many  admiring  hands, 
we  have  done  a  service  to  his  friends  and  have  performed 
what  has  seemed  to  be  an  act  of  the  most  manifest  justice. 


~ 107 02 


CHARLES    S.    FRANCIS 


The  collection  of  these  testimonials,  coming  from  so 
many  different  sources  and  yet  all  animated  by  the  same 
esteem  and  affection,  has  been  to  us  a  labor  of  love,  for 
in  doing  it  we  have  felt  that,  if  only  in  a  slight  degree,  we 
have  lightened  the  load  of  obligation  under  which  many 
and  great  deeds  of  kindness  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Francis 
have  placed  us. 

If  this  dedication  is  apologetic  it  is  so  to  him  alone, 
for  everyone  else  will  concede  that  a  life  so  honorable 
and  so  deservedly  honored  should  be  linked  with  those 
words  and  acts  of  loyalty,  gratitude  and  affection  which 
are  the  due  of  one  who  has  done  so  much  for  his  country, 
his  state,  his  county,  his  city,  his  employees  and  all  his 
friends  as  has  Charles  S.  Francis. 

To  prepare  such  a  work  as  this  about  one  who  is  in  the 
prime  of  life  and  manly  vigor  is  to  write  only  a  preface, 
but  we  believe  that  the  preface  should  be  written,  not 
only  because  it  is  a  prophecy  of  further  merit  but  because 
it  is  a  record  of  performance  praiseworthy  in  itself. 

Two  HUMBLE  FRIENDS. 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  1901. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE 


CHARLES   S.  FRANCIS. 


A    BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 


Charles  Spencer  Francis,  who  was  honored  in  December, 
1900,  by  the  appointment  by  President  McKinley  to  be 
Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the 
United  States  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  was  born 
in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  June  17,  1853.  He  is  the  son  of  Hon. 
John  M.  Francis,  the  founder  of  The  Troy  Daily  Times, 
and  Harriet  E.  Francis. 

Mr.  Francis'  great-grandfather  on  his  father's  side  was 
Joseph  Stewart  of  East  Haddam,  Conn.,  who  served  seven 
enlistments  in  the  American  army  during  the  War  of 
the  Revolution.  He  was  at  West  Point  when  Major 
Andre,  the  British  spy,  was  executed.  Mr.  Francis' 
grandfather,  Richard  Francis,  was  an  officer  in  the 
British  navy,  but  rather  than  fight  against  America  he 
relinquished  his  commission.  Later  he  came  to  this 
country  from  Wales,  reaching  the  United  States  in  1795. 
On  the  maternal  side  Mr.  Francis'  great-grandfather  was 
Major  William  Rogers.  Major  Rogers  had  command 
of  the  American  force  at  Pultneyville,  N.  Y.,  in  the 
battle  at  that  place  during  the  War  of  1812,  when  the 
Americans  fought  the  British  who  had  crossed  Lake 
Ontario  from  Canada. 

Mr.  Francis  comes  from  a  race  of  newspaper  men  as 
well  as  of  patriots.  His  mother's  father,  Pomeroy 
Tucker,  was  editor  of  the  Rochester  Union  and  Advertiser 
and  later  for  many  years  was  proprietor  of  the  Wayne 
County  Sentinel,  published  at  Palmyra,  N.  Y.  It  was 
while  John  M.  Francis  was  employed  on  the  Wayne 


CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 


County  Sentinel  that  he  first  met  his  future  wife,  who 
was  the  daughter  of  Pomeroy  Tucker. 

Mr.  Francis  pursued  his  juvenile  studies  at  the  Troy 
Academy,  and  even  at  that  early  age  his  strong  physique 
and  abundant  energy  made  him  a  leader  in  athletic  sports. 

Mr.  Francis  entered  Cornell  University  under  the 
presidency  of  Hon.  Andrew  D.  White,  now  United 
States  Ambassador  to  Germany,  and  graduated  from 
that  institution  in  1877.  The  interest  which  he  had 
always  maintained  in  athletics  was  conspicuous  at 
Cornell.  During  his  stay  at  the  University  Mr.  Francis 
was  the  single  scull  champion  of  Cornell,  an  honor  to 
which  his  son,  John  M.  Francis,  succeeded  in  1899.  ^ 
was  an  event  in  American  college  history  as  well  as  in 
the  records  of  Cornell  when  Mr.  Francis  in  1876  on 
Saratoga  Lake  became  the  intercollegiate  single  scull 
champion  of  America,  the  winning  time,  against  a  strong 
field,  still  standing  as  the  world's  intercollegiate  record — 
two  miles  in  13  minutes  and  42^4  seconds. 

Before  entering  Cornell  University  Mr.  Francis  had 
learned  the  printer's  trade  in  the  composing  room  of  The 
Troy  Daily  Times.  He  was  taught  as  a  boy  to  set  his 
first  line  of  type  by  one  who  is  still,  after  fifty  years  of 
service,  an  employee  of  the  Troy  Times.  Desiring  to 
begin  at  the  bottom  of  the  journalistic  ladder,  Mr. 
Francis,  having  already  become  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  mechanical  department  of  The  Times,  took  up 
journalistic  work  after  his  graduation  by  accepting  the 
lowest  reporter's  position  on  his  father's  paper.  Industry 
and  capacity  advanced  him  step  by  step  until  he  was  city 
editor.  In  1881  he  became  one  of  the  proprietors  of  The 
Troy  Times  and  the  general  manager  of  that  paper.  In 
1887  he  was  admitted  to  equal  partnership  with  his  father, 
and  on  the  death  of  John  M.  Francis  in  1897  Charles  S. 
Francis  attained  the  position,  which  he  now  holds,  of  sole 
proprietor  and  editor-in-chief  of  The  Troy  Times.  That 
newspaper  has  a  home  of  its  own  in  an  iron  building  which 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE 


has  a  frontage  of  120  feet  on  Broadway — Troy's  principal 
business  street — and  is  owned  by  Mr.  Francis. 

The  efficiency  of  Mr.  Francis  in  public  affairs  has  not 
been  limited  to  what  he  has  done  through  the  columns 
of  The  Troy  Times,  great  as  that  work  has  been.  By 
personal  efforts  and  gifts  of  time  and  money  he  has  aided 
greatly  in  securing  the  Republican  victories,  general  and 
local,  which  of  recent  years  have  so  highly  honored  that 
party  and  benefited  the  public. 

When  Hon.  Frank  S.  Black  became  the  Republican 
leader  of  Rensselaer  County  and  set  to  work  to  reform 
the  political  life  of  that  county,  he  had  no  more  energetic 
lieutenant,  closer  friend  or  more  loyal  supporter  than  Mr. 
Francis.  The  election  of  Mr.  Black  to  Congress  and  the 
change  in  political  control  of  Rensselaer  County  were 
results  in  which  Mr.  Francis  was  earnestly  interested  and 
to  which  he  contributed  largely.  With  his  accustomed 
energy  Mr.  Francis  entered  actively  into  the  canvass 
which  resulted  in  the  nomination  and  triumphant  election 
of  Mr.  Black  as  Governor  of  the  state  of  New  York. 
Mr.  Francis  refused  all  recognition  in  the  way  of 
official  appointment  for  his  services  in  that  campaign, 
but  continued  to  be  Governor  Black's  most  faithful  and 
devoted  friend  in  the  journalism  of  the  state.  During 
Governor  Black's  official  term  The  Times  was  recognized 
as  a  conspicuous  exponent  of  the  policies  of  the  state 
administration. 

Believing  that  Governor  Black's  services  to  the  state 
deserved  the  honor  of  renomination,  and  that  such  honor 
would  certainly  be  followed  by  reelection,  Mr.  Francis 
labored  hard  to  have  Mr.  Black's  name  head  the  state 
ticket  in  1898.  Although  disappointed  in  attaining  that 
result,  Mr.  Francis,  through  The  Troy  Times  and  by  his 
personal  efforts,  went  to  work  with  a  will  for  the  election 
of  the  state  ticket,  and  he  rejoiced  in  the  remarkable 
showing  of  loyalty  made  by  the  Republicans  of  Rensselaer 
County. 


10  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

Mr.  Francis  early  saw  that  William  McKinley  was  the 
logical,  inevitable  and  most  desirable  candidate  for  the 
Republican  nomination  for  President  in  1896.  The  Troy 
Times  was  one  of  the  first  papers  in  the  country  to 
declare  for  his  nomination,  holding  that  all  questions  of 
favor  to  state  candidacies  should  be  laid  aside,  in  order 
that  the  united  voice  of  the  country  might  place  Mr. 
McKinley  with  an  irresistible  wave  of  enthusiasm  upon 
a  platform  opposed  to  the  revolutionary  tendencies  which 
had  developed  in  the  Democratic  party.  The  Troy  Times 
devoted  its  best  energies  toward  the  support  of  the 
candidates  of  the  St.  Louis  convention,  and  during  all 
the  official  term  of  President  McKinley,  including  as  it 
did  the  stirring  events  of  foreign  war  and  the  vast 
problems  arising  out  of  victory,  vigorously  defended  the 
policy  of  the  national  administration.  The  Troy  Times 
has  never  wavered  in  its  defense  of  the  doctrines  of 
Sound  Money  and  Protection  of  American  Industries, 
to  which  the  Republican  party  is  irrevocably  dedicated. 

Hon.  John  M.  Francis  was  thrice  honored  by  diplomatic 
appointment — first  to  Greece,  then  to  Portugal  and  later 
to  Austria-Hungary.  During  his  three  years'  residence 
at  Athens  his  son,  Charles  S.  Francis,  was  his  private 
secretary.  It  was  not  surprising,  then,  that  when  that 
son  succeeded  to  the  journalistic  and  political  position 
which  his  father  had  held,  President  McKinley  saw  fit 
to  continue  the  succession  by  selecting  Mr.  Francis  for 
appointment  as  United  States  Minister  to  Greece,  just 
thirty  years  after  his  father  held  the  same  position.  It 
is  believed  this  is  the  first  instance  in  the  history  of  the 
State  Department  at  Washington  that  father  and  son 
have  held  the  same  diplomatic  mission. 

Mr.  Francis  has  always  been  active  in  military  and 
social  life,  as  well  as  in  business  affairs.  He  was  for 
eleven  years  a  member  of  the  staff  of  Maj.  Gen.  Joseph  B. 
Carr,  Third  Division,  New  York  State  National  Guard. 
Mr.  Francis  also  served  as  Colonel  and  aide-de-camp  on 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  11 

the    staff    of    Hon.    Alonzo    B.    Cornell    while    he    was 
Governor  of  the  state. 

The  alumni  of  Cornell  University  made  Mr.  Francis 
trustee  for  two  successive  terms,  and  he  is  a  director  of  the 
United  National  Bank  of  Troy,  a  director  of  the  Albany 
Trust  Company  and  of  the  Troy  Trust  Company,  a 
director  of  the  Troy  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Vice 
President  of  the  American  Scenic  and  Historic 
Preservation  Society,  chairman  of  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  National  Republican  Editorial 
Association  and  a  member  of  the  Zeta  Psi  college 
fraternity,  the  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution, 
the  Troy,  Pafraets  Dael,  Laureate,  Riverside  and  other 
clubs. 

A  characteristic  illustration  of  the  generous  sympathy 
of  Mr.  Francis  is  The  Troy  Fresh  Air  Fund,  which  he 
established  and  which  his  energy  has  kept  in  operation. 
One  hot  day  in  the  summer  of  1887,  Mr.  Francis 
determined  that  he  would  do  what  he  could  to  take  the 
children  of  the  poor  from  the  stifling  tenements  of  the 
alleys  and  give  them  a  chance  to  breathe  pure  air  and 
look  upon  green  fields.  That  very  day  he  backed  an  appeal 
to  the  public  through  the  columns  of  the  Troy  Times  with 
a  substantial  subscription,  and  that  was  the  beginning  of 
The  Troy  Fresh  Air  Fund,  which  every  summer  sends 
parties  of  children  into  the  country  for  a  two  weeks' 
sojourn  at  Fresh  Air  Haven,  in  Washington  County. 
In  the  fifteen  years  that  this  fund  has  existed,  nearly 
6,000  children  have  been  the  beneficiaries  and  without 
distinction  of  race,  color  or  religion.  This  charity  is 
very  near  to  Mr.  Francis'  heart. 

The  devotion  of  Mr.  Francis  to  the  benevolence  just 
mentioned  is  typical  of  his  fidelity  to  his  convictions  and 
his  loyalty  to  his  personal  and  political  friends.  This 
quality,  also  characteristic  in  a  marked  degree  of  his 
father,  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  has  much  to  do  with  the 
sincere  devotion  manifested  by  friends  on  every  hand. 


12  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 


Mr.  Francis  and  his  wife,  who  before  her  marriage 
was  Miss  Alice  Evans  of  Ithaca,  have  five  children — John 
Morgan,  Helen,  Harriet,  Margaret  and  Pomeroy  T. 
Francis.  John  M.  Francis  has  succeeded  to  his  father's 
aquatic  prowess  and  has  even  eclipsed  the  distinguished 
record  made  by  the  latter.  The  son  accompanied  his 
success  as  a  single  sculler  at  Cornell — lowering  the  record 
on  that  course  28  seconds — by  stroking  the  victorious 
Cornell  Freshman  crew  at  Poughkeepsie  in  1899,  and 
this  year,  under  the  training  of  James  A.  Ten  Eyck,  won 
the  junior  singles  at  the  Harlem  regatta  Memorial  Day, 
the  single  sculls  at  the  Syracuse  regatta  June  14,  the 
intermediate  singles  at  the  New  England  Amateur 
Association's  regatta  at  Boston  July  4  and  the  senior 
singles  at  the  Laureate  Boat  Club's  regatta  at  Troy  July 
8.  In  winning  this  last  victory  Mr.  Francis  lowered  his 
father's  record  of  13  136  by  covering  the  same  course  of 
two  miles  with  a  turn  in  13 123  4-5,  thus  not  only  reducing 
by  many  seconds  the  record  of  the  course  but  also 
escaping  by  only  two  seconds  excelling  the  world's  record 
for  two  miles  made  by  James  H.  Riley,  a  professional 
oarsman,  in  1876 — 13  121  1-2. 

The  United  States  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and 
Servia  has  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  office  with 
characteristic  energy,  for  energy  and  success  have  been 
inseparably  united  in  the  career  of  Charles  S.  Francis. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  13 


DIPLOMATIC  APPOINTMENT. 


CHARLES    S.    FRANCIS    NOMINATED    FOR 
MINISTER   TO    GREECE. 

[From  the  New  York  Tribune,  Dec.  19,  1900.] 

Washington,  Dec.  18 — The  President  sent  the  follow 
ing  nomination  to  the  Senate  to-day : 

Charles  S.  Francis,  of  New  York,  to  be  Envoy  Extra 
ordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia. 


Charles  S.  Francis  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
now  lives.  He  was  graduated  from  Cornell  University 
in  1877.  While  at  college  Mr.  Francis  was  prominent  in 
athletics.  The  beginning  of  boating  interest  at  Cornell 
was  contemporaneous  with  his  collegiate  career.  He 
rowed  on  class  and  college  crews,  and  repeatedly  won  the 
single  scull  championship  of  the  university,  which  his  son, 
John  M.  Francis,  Jr.,  also  won  in  1899.  In  1876  Mr. 
Francis  won  the  intercollegiate  single  scull  championship 
on  Saratoga  Lake,  making  the  best  time  on  record,  which 
still  stands  as  the  world's  intercollegiate  record — two 
miles  in  13  minutes  and  42-3-4  seconds.  Since  his 
graduation  Mr.  Francis  has  been  actively  interested  in 
the  success  of  boating  at  Cornell,  and  by  his  experience 
and  energy  has  done  much  to  aid  the  college  crews  in 
the  annual  intercollegiate  contests.  One  of  the  rowing 
organizations  at  Cornell  is  named,  in  his  honor,  the 
Francis  Boat  Club. 


14  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

Before  matriculation  at  Cornell  Mr.  Francis  learned 
the  printer's  trade  in  the  composing  room  of  "The  Troy 
Daily  Times,"  which  was  founded  by  his  father,  John 
M.  Francis,  in  1851.  After  leaving  college  he  proceeded 
to  qualify  himself  further  for  a  journalistic  career  by 
becoming  a  reporter  on  "The  Troy  Times."  Advancing 
step  by  step,  he  acquired  a  proprietary  interest  in  1881 
and  became  manager  of  that  paper.  In  1887  he  became 
an  equal  partner  with  his  father,  and  on  the  death,  in 
1897,  of  that  distinguished  and  honored  journalist  and 
diplomat,  succeeded  to  the  editorship  of  the  paper  and 
to  the  sole  ownership  of  that  valuable  newspaper  and  of 
the  Troy  Times  Building. 

Though  Mr.  Francis  has  been  actively  identified  with 
the  Republican  party,  he  has  never  held  office.  His 
personal  acquaintance  with  prominent  Republicans  of  the 
State  of  New  York  and  of  the  entire  country  is  large. 
"The  Times,"  published  in  a  manufacturing  centre,  has 
always  been  pronounced  in  its  support  of  Protection  and 
sound  money,  and  was  one  of  the  first  papers  in  New 
York  State  to  advocate  the  nomination  of  William 
McKinley  for  President  in  1896. 

Mr.  Francis'  father,  John  M.  Francis,  held  three 
diplomatic  missions — to  Greece,  to  Portugal  and  to 
Austria-Hungary.  Charles  S.  Francis  acted  as  secretary 
to  his  father  during  the  latters  three  years'  residence  at 
Athens.  It  is  an  interesting  coincidence  that  Charles  S. 
Francis,  editor  and  owner  of  "The  Troy  Times,"  should 
be  appointed  Minister  to  Greece  by  President  McKinley 
just  thirty  years  after  his  father,  John  M.  Francis,  editor 
and  proprietor  of  "The  Troy  Times,"  was  appointed 
Minister  to  Greece  by  President  Grant,  and  that  father 
and  son  should  receive  their  first  diplomatic  honor  at  the 
same  age. 

Mr.  Francis  served  for  eleven  years  on  the  staff  of 
Major  General  Joseph  B.  Carr,  Third  Division,  New 
York  State  National  Guard,  and  was  an  officer  on  the 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  15 

staff  of  Governor  Alonzo  B.  Cornell.  Mr.  Francis  is  an 
alumnus  trustee  of  Cornell  University,  having  been 
elected  for  two  successive  terms.  He  is  a  director  of  the 
United  National  Bank  of  Troy  and  of  the  Albany  Trust 
Company,  vice-president  of  the  New  York  Society  for 
the  Preservation  of  Scenic  and  Historic  Places  and 
Objects,  a  member  of  the  Zeta  Psi  college  fraternity,  the 
Society  of  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  and  several 
Troy  and  New  York  clubs. 


THE    NOMINATION    CONFIRMED. 

The  nomination  of  Charles  S.  Francis  to  be  Envoy 
Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia,  which  was  made  by  President 
McKinley  December  18,  was  confirmed  by  the  United 
States  Senate  by  a  unanimous  vote  December  20. 


ACTION  BY  PUBLIC  BODIES. 

A  remarkably  large  number  of  public  organizations  took 
official  action  on  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Francis,  thus 
indicating  the  respect  in  which  he  was  held  and  the 
pleasure  with  which  his  selection  by  President  McKinley 
was  received. 


THE    COMMON    COUNCIL 
OF   TROY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Common  Council  of  Troy, 
December  27,  1900,  Alderman  Joseph  F.  Hogan  offered 
the  following  resolutions: 

Whereas,  The  President  of  the  United  States  has 
nominated  a  citizen  of  Troy,  Charles  S.  Francis,  Editor 
of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary  and 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and 
Servia;  and 

Whereas,  By  this  appointment  our  city  as  well  as  our 
distinguished  fellow  townsman  is  honored ;  therefore 
be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  as  members  of  the  Common 
Council  of  Troy,  place  on  record  our  appreciation  of  the 
municipal  distinction  conferred  by  this  appointment ;  and 
be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  we  extend  to  Mr.  Francis  our  official 
and  friendly  congratulations  as  to  one  who  by  his 
personal  character  and  public  services  has  proved  himself 
worthy  to  represent  the  people  of  the  United  States  in 
a  mission  which  is  both  useful  and  honorable ;  and 


18  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

Resolved,  That  copies  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to 
the  President  of  the  United  States  and  to  Minister 
Francis. 

Mr.  Hogan  said  he  did  not  offer  these  resolutions 
in  a  perfunctory  way,  but  because  of  public  conditions 
existing  some  thirty  years  ago.  John  M.  Francis,  then 
editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  was  appointed 
Minister  to  Greece  at  the  same  age  as  the  son,  who  is  now 
honored  by  that  distinction.  Then  the  Common  Council, 
which  was  Democratic,  passed  just  such  a  resolution  as 
the  one  now  offered.  While  it  was  an  extraordinary 
coincidence  that  two  citizens  should  be  named  from  one 
city  to  fill  such  a  position,  it  was  unique  in  political 
history  for  a  son  to  be  so  honored  in  the  filling  of  a 
position  filled  with  distinction  by  the  father.  Mr.  Hogan 
said  the  matter  was  one  that  was  not  bounded  by  politics, 
but  had  a  wider  meaning  to  the  citizens  of  Troy.  It 
meant  that  a  citizen  of  the  city  had  been  honored. 

Mr.  Breckenridge,  in  seconding  the  resolutions,  said 
that  he  felt  urged  to  do  so  for  the  reasons  that  Mr.  Hogan 
had  stated.  It  was  a  deserved  honor  conferred  on  a 
citizen,  and  reflected  honor  on  the  city.  He  regarded 
the  resolution  not  as  a  party  matter,  but  as  a  recognition 
of  an  honor  for  which  every  citizen  should  feel  pleased. 
The  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted. 

The  Troy  Times,  in  commenting  December  28  upon 
the  action  of  the  Common  Council,  said : 

"The  unanimous  action  of  the  Common  Council  of 
Troy  last  evening,  in  expressing  appreciation  of  the 
honor  conferred  upon  the  city  by  the  appointment  of  a 
citizen  of  Troy  as  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  was 
graceful.  It  was  a  most  creditable  expression  of  union  of 
sentiment  in  the  recognition  of  President  McKinley's  act 
in  distinguishing  this  city  while  making  a  diplomatic 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  19 

appointment  of  a  representative  of  the  United  States 
in  foreign  kingdoms.  The  delicacy  of  the  Common 
Council's  congratulations  last  evening  was  enhanced 
by  the  fact  that  the  resolutions  were  offered  with  a 
felicitously  courteous  speech  by  Alderman  Hogan,  the 
spokesman  of  the  Democratic  majority,  followed  with 
seconding  remarks  by  members  of  the  Republican 
minority.  This  merging  of  partisan  divisions  in  the 
spirit  of  civic  congratulation  is  such  an  incident  as  adds 
to  the  amenities  of  public  life. 

"As  was  remarked  by  Alderman  Hogan  last  night,  the 
official  congratulation  had  its  prototype,  and,  singularly 
enough,  the  previous  occasion  was  when  Hon.  John  M. 
Francis,  the  father  of  the  new  Minister,  received  from 
President  Grant  a  similar  appointment  thirty  years  ago. 
The  coincidence  of  the  circumstances  adds  to  the  unique 
character  of  the  action  taken  last  night  by  the  city's 
representative  board. 

"It  will  sweeten  the  recollections  of  Minister  Francis, 
during  his  residence  abroad,  to  know  that  his  home  city 
recognizes  the  distinction  coming  to  him  as  an  honor  in 
which  Troy  shares,  and  to  remember  that  the  recognition 
has  been  expressed  with  so  much  of  good  feeling  and 
cordiality." 


THE  RENSSELAER  COUNTY 
SUPERVISORS. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Rensselaer  County,  on 
motion  of  Supervisor  William  V.  Donovan  of  Troy, 
unanimously  adopted  the  following  resolutions : 

Whereas,  President  McKinley  has  honored  the  State 
of  New  York  and  the  County  of  Rensselaer  by  appointing 
Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis  of  Troy  to  the  distinguished 


20  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

position  of  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Pleni 
potentiary  of  the  United  States  to  Greece,  Roumania  and 
Servia ; 

Resolved,  That,  as  official  representatives  of  Rensselaer 
County,  we  express  our  sense  of  the  honor  conferred  upon 
this  county,  and  our  gratification  that  the  President  has 
chosen  for  distinction  one  who  is  regarded  by  each  of 
us  as  a  friend,  and  as  a  citizen  whose  character  and 
attainments  will  make  him  a  worthy  representative  of  the 
United  States  Government. 

Resolved,  That  we  congratulate  the  new  Minister  that 
by  his  appointment  he  succeeds  to  the  diplomatic  position 
once  held  by  his  father,  the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis, 
an  honored  citizen  of  Troy  and  Rensselaer  County. 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  entered  in  the 
Journal  of  the  Board,  and  that  copies  be  sent  to  President 
McKinley  and  to  Minister  Francis. 


RENSSELAER  COUNTY  REPUBLICAN 

COMMITTEE. 

The  Republican  County  Committee  of  Rensselaer 
County,  on  motion  of  Wesley  O.  Howard,  unanimously 
adopted  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  the  Republican  County  Committee  of 
Rensselaer  County  congratulates  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis 
of  The  Troy  Times,  a  member  of  this  Committee,  on  his 
appointment  by  President  McKinley  to  the  responsible 
position  of  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Pleni 
potentiary  from  the  United  States  to  Greece,  Roumania 
and  Servia. 

Resolved,  That  the  appointment  is  a  deserved  recog 
nition  of  the  fidelity  and  ability  of  Mr.  Francis  as  a 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  21 


representative  of  the  Republican  Party  of  this  county  and 
of  the  state,  and  as  a  worthy  successor  in  journalism  and 
in  political  life  of  his  father,  the  late  Hon.  John  M. 
Francis,  who  served  his  country  in  the  same  diplomatic 
position. 

Resolved,  That  copies  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to 
President  McKinlev  and  to  Minister  Francis. 


THE    NEW   YORK    PRESS 
ASSOCIATION. 

At  the  annual  convention  at  Buffalo,  June  13, 
1901,  of  The  New  York  Press  Association,  composed  of 
representatives  of  about  300  newspapers  of  New  York 
state,  the  following  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted, 
on  motion  of  A.  O.  Bunnell,  editor  of  the  Dansville 
Advertiser,  Secreary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Association 
and  ex-President  of  the  National  Editorial  Association : 

Whereas,  A  member  of  The  New  York  Press 
Association,  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis  of  The  Troy 
Times,  has  been  honored  by  President  McKinley  by 
appointment  as  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  of  the  United  States  to  Greece,  Roumania 
and  Servia,  succeeding  to  the  position  once  occupied  by 
his  father,  the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  ex-President 
of  this  Association; 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  our  congratulations  to  Mr. 
Francis,  with  the  expression  of  our  confidence  that  he 
will  so  discharge  the  duties  of  his  position  as  to  justify 
the  wisdom  of  his  selection  by  the  President. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  be  requested  to  send 
copies  of  these  resolutions  to  President  McKinley  and  to 
Minister  Francis. 


CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

THE    TROY    CHAMBER 
OF    COMMERCE. 

At  a  meeting  March  12,  1901,  of  the  Directors  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Troy,  the  following  resolutions 
were  adopted : 

Whereas,  By  the  appointment  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States  the  position  of  Envoy  Extraordinary  and 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia 
has  been  conferred  upon  a  citizen  of  Troy  and  member  of 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of 
this  city; 

Resolved,  That  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  extends 
its  congratulations  to  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis,  and 
recognizes  the  honor  conferred  upon  this  city  and  upon 
its  business  community. 

Resolved,  That  our  best  wishes  will  be  with  Minister 
Francis  for  his  health  and  success  at  his  new  post  of  duty 
and  for  his  safe  return  to  his  home  and  activities  among 
us. 

Resolved,  That  copies  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to 
President  McKinley  and  to  Mr.  Francis. 


THE    COMMERCIAL    TRAVELERS' 
ASSOCIATION. 

The  Commercial  Travelers'  Association  of  Troy,  at  a 
meeting  January  26,  1901,  adopted  unanimously  the 
following  resolutions : 

Whereas,  President  McKinley  has  appointed  Charles 
S.  Francis,  a  citizen  of  Troy  and  a  member  of  the 
Commercial  Travelers'  Association,  to  the  honorable 
position  of  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia ;  and 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  23 


Whereas,  Minister  Francis,  accompanied  by  the  good 
wishes  of  the  people  of  Troy  and  many  others  throughout 
the  United  States,  sailed  to-day  for  his  new  post  of  duty ; 

Resolved,  That  we  take  this  occasion  to  express  our 
sense  of  the  honor  that  has  come  to  us  as  an  association 
and  to  the  people  of  Troy  by  the  appointment  of  one  of 
our  most  valued  members  and  one  of  the  city's  most 
prominent  and  influential  residents  to  a  position  of  such 
high  responsibility  and  importance. 

Resolved,  That  we  extend  our  congratulations  to 
Minister  Francis  and  assure  him  of  our  best  wishes  for 
an  agreeable  and  successful  sojourn  abroad  and  for  a 
safe  return  to  a  community  which  respects  and  admires 
him  for  his  public  services,  his  business  capacity  and  his 
genial  and  sympathetic  friendship. 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  entered  upon  the 
records  of  this  association,  and  that  a  copy  be  sent  to 
Mr.  Francis  at  Athens. 


THE  VETERAN   BOYS 
IN   BLUE. 

The  Veteran  Boys  in  Blue  Republican  Club,  at  a 
meeting  January  9,  1901,  on  motion  of  Col.  J.  G.  McNutt, 
Past  President,  adopted  unanimously  the  following 
resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  appointment  of  our  honorary 
member  and  comrade,  Charles  S.  Francis,  by  the. 
President  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia  is  very 
gratifying  to  us,  and  while  we  extend  our  congratulations 
and  best  wishes  to  Colonel  Francis  and  wish  him  success 
in  his  new  and  important  field  of  duty  and  hope  for  his 
safe  return  upon  the  completion  of  those  official  duties, 
we  also  feel  that  in  making  the  appointment  Comrade 


24  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 


McKinley  has  not  only  honored  our  city  and  county  as 
well  as  the  appointee,  but  has  made  a  selection  that 
redounds  to  the  credit  of  the  administration  and  the 
Republican  party  as  well. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent 
President  William  McKinley  and  Hon.  Charles  S. 
Francis,  and  also  furnished  the  papers  of  our  city  for 
publication. 


POST    GRISWOLD, 
G.  A.  R. 

At  a  meeting  of  Post  John  A.  Griswold,  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  January  2,  1901,  the  following? 
resolutions  were  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  post  be  extended 
to  President  and  Comrade  William  McKinley  for  the 
appointment  of  our  associate  member,  Charles  S.  Francis, 
to  the  important  position  of  Hnvoy  Extraordinary  and 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  from  the  United  States  to 
Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  This  action  of  the 
President  is  particularly  gratifying  to  us,  as  Mr.  Francis 
has  always  been  a  friend  of  the  veterans  and  a  stanch 
defender  of  the  principles  for  which  they  fought.  We 
congratulate  Mr.  Francis  upon  his  selection  for  such  an 
important  position,  and  we  wish  to  assure  him  that  our 
kindest  regards  go  with  him  to  the  scene  of  his  duties. 
May  the  blessings  of  heaven  attend  him  and  return  him 
to  us  upon  the  completion  of  his  official  duties. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  forwarded 
to  President  McKinley  and  also  to  our  honored  associate 
member,  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis. 

H.  S.  McLeod,  Henry  Wheeler  and  George  H.  Ennis, 
a  committee  from  Post  Griswold,  presented  to  Mr. 
Francis  a  handsome  engrossed  copy  of  the  resolutions. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  25 


January  21,  Hon.  A.  V.  S.  Cochrane,  Member  of 
Congress  representing  Rensselaer  and  Columbia  Counties, 
called  at  the  Executive  Mansion  at  Washington  and 
presented  to  President  McKinley  the  engrossed  resolutions 
of  Post  Griswold.  The  President  said  he  would  suitably 
acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  document  to  the  post 
direct.  This  he  did  in  the  following  letter: 

Executive  Mansion, 
Washington,  D.  C.,  Jan.  22,  1901. 
Mr.  John  K.  Cullin,  Commander  John  A.  Griswold  Post, 

338,  G.  A.  R.,  Troy,  N.  Y. 

My  Dear  Sir:  The  President  has  received  the 
communication  of  recent  date  signed  by  yourself  and 
other  members  of  John  A.  Griswold  Post,  No.  338, 
Department  of  New  York,  G.  A.  R.,  and  requests  me  to 
assure  you  that  your  cordial  allusions  to  the  appointment 
you  mentioned  are  appreciated.  Very  truly  yours, 

GEORGE  B.  CORTELYOU, 

Secretary  to  the  President. 


POST    TIBBITS, 
G.  A.  R. 

At  a  regular  encampment  of  Post  William  B.  Tibbits, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  January  21,  1901,  the 
following  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted: 

Whereas,  A  well  known  citizen  has  been  honored  with 
a  high  diplomatic  mission  by  the  President  of  the  United 
States;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  the  appointment  of  Charles 
S.  Francis  as  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia, 
President  McKinley  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  happy 
and  appropriate  selection,  which  is  not  only  an  honor 


26  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 


conferred  upon  Mr.  Francis  but  also  upon  the  citizens 
at  large.  Mr.  Francis  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest 
in  the  veteran  soldier,  and  his  valuable  paper  and  personal 
efforts  have  always  been  at  the  service  of  the  veteran. 
The  veterans  of  this  city  take  this  opportunity  of 
testifying  their  high  esteem  for  Mr.  Francis. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be 
transmitted  by  the  Post  Adjutant  to  President  McKinley 
and  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis. 


THE    LETTER  CARRIERS' 
ASSOCIATION. 

The  local  association  of  letter  carriers  adopted  the 
following : 

Troy,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  10,  1901. 
Hon.  Chas.  S.  Francis,  Troy,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  Branch  No.  416,  National  Association  of 
Letter  Carriers,  in  adjourned  regular  meeting  assembled, 
extends  to  you  a  vote  of  hearty  congratulations  upon 
your  appointment  by  President  McKinley  as  Envoy 
Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia.  We  are  pleased  to  feel  highly 
honored  not  only  because  the  President  by  his  wise 
selection  has  honored  every  citizen  of  Troy,  but  also 
because  his  choice  has  fallen  upon  such  a  warm  and 
sincere  friend  of  the  letter  carriers  of  Branch  No.  416, 
whose  best  wishes  for  a  successful  term  of  office  and  a 
happy  return  to  your  friends  after  duties  well  performed 
accompany  you  upon  your  journey. 

JOSEPH  A.  DONSBACH,  Secretary. 
FREEMAN   P.    SPOTTEN,   President, 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE 


27 


RENSSELAER    COUNTY    MILKMEN'S 
ASSOCIATION. 

The  annual  meeting  and  banquet  of  the  Rensselaer 
County  Milkmen's  Association  were  held  Saturday 
evening,  December  29,  1900.  At  the  banquet  at  the 
Windsor  Hotel  Eugene  A.  Van  Pelt  of  Brunswick 
referred  in  a  speech  to  the  honor  conferred  upon  Charles 
S.  Francis  by  the  appointment  by  President  McKinley  to 
the  position  of  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  The 
congratulations  of  the  Association  were  unanimously 
extended  to  Mr.  Francis  amid  applause. 


CONGRATULATED   BY  TROY  JOURNALISTS. 

The  journalists  of  Troy  were  unanimous  in  their 
commendation  of  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Francis  and  in 
cordial  congratulations  to  the  new  appointee. 

The  feeling  of  Mr.  Francis'  assistants  in  the  editorial 
conduct  of  The  Troy  Times  were  thus  expressed  in  the 
following  editorial  article,  written  and  published,  during 
Mr.  Francis'  absence  from  the  city,  in  The  Times  of 
December  18,  1900,  under  the  heading  of  "The  Times 
Doubly  Honored." 


"President  McKinley  to-day  sent  to  the  United  States  Senate 
the  nomination  of  Charles  S.  Francis  of  this  city,  editor  and 
proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary  and 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia. 

"The  announcement  comes  at  a  time  when  Mr.  Francis  is 
away  from  Troy,  at  the  sick  bed  of  a  relative.  Were  he  at 
home  he  would  forbid  other  mention  of  the  matter  than  that 
contained  in  our  telegraphic  columns.  In  his  absence  those 
associated  with  Mr.  Francis  in  labor  on  The  Troy  Times  think 
it  not  inopportune  or  improper  to  express  what  chey  know 
will  be  the  sentiment  of  all  his  friends  and  acquaintances. 
The  honor  that  has  come  to  him  gives  them  the  utmost 
satisfaction  and  pleasure  as  one  most  worthily  bestowed. 

"Mr.  Francis  has  grown  up  on  The  Troy  Times.  In  early 
boyhood  and  while  preparing  for  college  he  served  as  an 
apprentice  in  the  composing  room  of  this  newspaper,  learning 
the  mechanical  details  and  fitting  himself  for  the  more  arduous 
responsibilities  that  the  future  was  to  bring.  After  graduating 
from  Cornell  University  he  entered  the  local  department  of 
The  Times,  being  first  a  reporter  and  afterwards  city  editor. 
Still  later  he  was  the  business  manager,  and  for  many 
years  before  the  death  of  his  father,  Hon.  John  M.  Francis, 
June  18,  1897,  was  an  equal  partner  with  him  in  The  Times 


30  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

proprietorship  and  in  full  executive  control  of  The  Times  and 
the  Times  establishment.  Since  the  demise  of  his  father  Mr. 
Francis  has  been  editor  and  sole  owner  of  The  Times. 

"It  is  a  remarkable  coincidence  that  Hon.  John  M.  Francis, 
the  founder  of  The  Troy  Times,  should  have  held  the  same 
office  which  his  son  has  now  been  called  to  fill.  The  senior 
Francis  was  made  Minister  to  Greece  by  President  Grant  in 
1871,  and  held  the  office  for  three  years,  resigning  in  order  to 
return  to  active  journalistic  work.  The  son,  succeeding  the 
father  as  editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  is  now 
chosen  to  occupy  the  same  exalted  post.  The  double 
compliment  to  The  Troy  Times  is,  if  we  mistake  not,  without 
parallel,  and  one  in  which  every  one  connected  with  The 
Times  takes  profound  pride. 

"It  is  in  order  to  add  that  nowhere  is  Charles  S.  Francis 
esteemed  more  highly  than  in  The  Troy  Times  family, 
of  which  he  is  the  directing  head  and  master  mind.  From 
none  will  come  to  him  heartier  or  more  sincere  congratulations 
than  those  extended  by  his  co-workers  and  associates  on  this 
newspaper,  which  includes  men  who  have  known  him  from 
his  childhood,  and  whose  affection  and  good  will  for  him  have 
been  strengthened  by  the  years  of  intimate  relationship  into 
a  regard  which  cannot  be  surpassed. 

"Charles  S.  Francis,  keeping  before  him  the  noble  example 
of  his  father  in  newspaper  work  and  in  wise  and  patriotic 
public  service,  has  made  The  Troy  Times  worthy  of  its  revered 
founder,  and  thus  given  it  an  influence  which  is  recognized 
by  the  double  honor  conferred  upon  his  journal." 


A    TROJAN    HONORED. 

(From  The  Troy  Record,  Morning  Edition,  December  19.) 

For  the  first  time  in  many  years  Troy  is  honored  by  the 
appointment  of  one  of  its  citizens  to  a  diplomatic  position  of 
dignity  and  influence.  Yesterday  the  name  of  Col.  Charles  S. 
Francis,  proprietor  of  The  Times,  was  sent  to  the  Senate  for 
confirmation  for  the  position  of  Minister  to  Greece,  Servia  and 
Roumania,  and  without  doubt,  in  due  course  of  Senatorial 
procedure,  it  will  be  acted  upon  favorably.  Residents  of  this 
section  without  regard  to  party  will  congratulate  Mr.  Francis 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  31 

upon  his  enviable  recognition.  It  should  be  doubly  pleasing 
to  him,  for  it  was  at  Athens  that  his  father,  Hon.  John  M. 
Francis,  passed  a  considerable  portion  of  his  diplomatic  career, 
and  it  was  while  the  father  held  that  position  that  the  son 
first  became  acquainted  with  the  delights  of  Greece.  In  going 
there  at  this  time  Mr.  Francis  therefore  will  feel  that  he  is 
among  old  friends,  and  so  will  start  his  diplomatic  labors  with 
a  distinct  advantage  over  the  ordinary  American  representative 
abroad.  The  appointment  is  recognition  of  Mr.  Francis' 
earnest  efforts  in  behalf  of  Republican  policies,  and  also  of 
the  consistent  party  labors  of  his  newspaper.  That  he  may 
score  an  immediate  success  in  his  field,  and  thus  pave  the 
way  for  a  public  career  rivaling  that  of  his  father,  is  the 
sincere  wish  of  a  circle  which  extends  far  beyond  the  limits 
of  Troy. 


MINISTER   TO    GREECE. 

(From  The  Troy  Press,  December  19.) 

Whenever  a  Trojan  is  honored  Troy  feels  honored,  and  the 
appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis,  proprietor  of  The  Troy 
Times,  to  a  distinguished  diplomatic  post  is,  therefore,  the 
subject  of  general  gratulation  and  satisfaction  in  this 
community.  Besides,  peculiar  felicity  is  exhibited  in  the 
choice  of  Mr.  Francis  for  Minister  to  Greece,  as  he  may  be 
said  to  have  hereditary  training  and  qualification  for  this 
commission.  His  father,  John  M.  Francis,  graced  this  office, 
and  during  his  residence  with  his  parents  in  Athens,  young 
Mr.  Francis  acquired  a  familiarity  with  the  Grecian  people, 
government,  character  and  language,  which  will  redound 
markedly  to  his  advantage  in  the  performance  of  official  duties 
and  the  observance  of  social  functions.  The  Troy  Times  has 
steadily  and  strongly  supported  the  McKinley  administration 
and  the  Republican  State  organization,  and  the  choice  of  its 
chief  to  go  to  a  foreign  court  as  the  representative  of  our 
government  is  undoubtedly  a  tribute  to  its  loyalty  and  efficacy. 
Party  differences  are  forgotten,  however,  in  the  unanimity 
and  cordiality  with  which  Trojans  join  in  congratulating  Mr. 
Francis  upon  his  prospective  accession  to  so  important  a 
branch  of  the  public  service. 


32  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

PARTY    HONORS. 

(From  The  Troy  Evening  Standard,  December  19.) 

C.  S.  Francis  of  this  city  has  been  appointed  Minister  to 
Greece  and  the  adjacent  principalities.  President  McKinley 
could  scarcely  have  found  a  better  man  in  his  party  for  the 
post.  Colonel  Francis'  father,  the  late  J.  M.  Francis,  held 
this  post,  with  honor  to  himself  and  credit  to  the  country, 
for  several  years,  and  The  Standard  has  no  doubt  that  the  son, 
who  had  some  experience  in  diplomatic  affairs  while  with  his 
father  abroad,  will  give  an  equally  good  account  for  himself 
in  assuming  and  sustaining  the  duties  of  the  office.  Differing 
opinions  may  make  great  divisions  of  partisanship  and 
sometimes  cause  more  or  less  acrid  discussions  between 
newspapers  and  other  public  exponents  of  politics,  but  The 
Standard  and  most  liberal  people  in  the  community  are 
perfectly  willing  to  see  each  party,  so  far  as  lies  within  its 
power,  honor  the  faithful  Trojans  who  have  respectively 
given  it  their  allegiance  and  active  support. 


IN    THE    FOOTSTEPS    OF 

HIS    FATHER. 
(From  The  Troy  Record,  Evening  Edition,  December  19.) 

One  of  the  first  Christmas  stockings  filled  is  that  of 
Proprietor  Francis  of  The  Troy  Times,  who  finds  therein  a 
commission  to  represent  the  United  States  diplomatically  in 
Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  Thus  he  is  enabled  to  follow 
in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  in  public  affairs  as  well  as  in 
journalism,  and  no  doubt,  like  him,  will  be  a  credit  to  his 
country,  and  a  most  welcome  addition  to  the  diplomatic  circle 
at  Athens.  The  field  is  well  known  to  Mr.  Francis,  his  term 
as  secretary  to  his  father  having  given  him  long  ago  a  clear 
insight  into  the  situation  in  that  part  of  the  world.  To  him 
it  will  be  but  a  return  to  old  scenes,  and  therefore  his  labors 
will  bring  him  special  pleasure  and  gratification. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  33 

CONGRATULATIONS   TO    THE 
NEW    MINISTER. 

(From  The  Troy  Northern  Budget,  December  23.) 

Uniting  with  its  contemporaries,  the  Budget  commends  the 
appointment  of  Col.  Charles  S.  Francis  as  minister  to  Greece, 
Servia  and  Roumania.  It  is  an  excellent  honor  excellently 
bestowed.  All  classes  and  conditions  of  our  people  join  in 
congratulations  to  the  appointee. 

In  making  this  selection,  President  McKinley  pays  a 
graceful  tribute  to  personal  merit,  to  the  work  done  by  a 
very  influential  newspaper  and  to  the  splendid  Rensselaer 
Republican  result  of  November.  The  honor  is  therefore 
shared  by  the  fellow  citizens  of  the  new  minister. 

Col.  Francis  is  to  the  manor  born.  He  is  a  native  here 
and  has  grown  up  and  lived  among  us.  We  all  know  him, 
and  he  knows  us  all.  Active  in  public  affairs,  and  influential 
also,  a  kind  and  helping  neighbor,  a  resourceful  citizen,  he  has 
made  for  himself  among  his  own  people  an  enviable  reputation 
for  energy,  fidelity  and  judgment.  His  neighbors  know  that 
he  will  do  equally  as  well  abroad. 

Thirty  years  ago  Col.  Francis  went  to  Greece  in  company 
with  his  father,  who  was  then  minister  to  that  country.  As 
the  inevitable  mutations  of  life  and  death  have  made  him 
the  successor  of  his  parent  in  the  conduct  of  The  Troy  Times, 
the  progress  of  events  now  takes  Lim  abroad  in  the  same 
capacity  and  on  the  same  mission  that  his  father  went  thirty 
years  ago.  Viewed  in  this  respect  the  appointment  becomes 
unique. 

The  people  of  Troy  will  eagerly  watch  the  success  of  the 
new  minister  in  the  storied  country  where  the  beautiful  arts 
were  nurtured,  where  immortal  poetry  was  made  and  the 
poet  deified,  where  learning  received  its  most  ancient  honors, 
and  where  wit  and  culture  were  given  impresses  that  the 
long  years  have  not  obliterated.  In  that  sunny  land  Col. 
Francis  will  enter  upon  and  pursue  with  conscientious  vigor 
a  diplomatic  career  that,  in  common  with  all  his  other  friends, 
the  Budget  hopes  and  believes  will  bring  him  great  honor,  and 
that  will  of  itself  suggest  his  elevation  to  even  more 
important  station. 


34  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

THE    APPOINTMENT    OF 
MR.  FRANCIS. 

(From  The  Troy  Sunday  News,  December  23.) 

President  McKinley's  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis  of 
this  city  to  the  responsible  post  of  United  States  Minister  to 
Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  was  received  with  the  greatest 
degree  of  satisfaction  by  all  Trojans.  Mr.  Francis  is  a  Trojan 
to  the  manor  born.  With  but  few  short  periods  of  absence 
his  life  has  been  spent  in  his  native  city.  And  while  his 
reputation  and  achievements  are  not  confined  to  this  locality, 
it  is  here  that  he  is  best  known.  As  a  citizen,  as  a  neighbor 
and  as  a  friend  Mr.  Francis  is  universally  respected. 
Succeeding  to  absolute  control  of  the  Troy  Times  upon  the 
death  of  his  lamented  father,  Hon,  John  M.  Francis,  he  has 
unerringly  adhered  to  the  principles  by  which  that  great 
diplomatist,  statesman  and  journalist  made  the  Times  such 
a  power  in  the  city,  state  and  nation.  Since  assuming  control 
of  the  Times  Mr.  Francis  has  increased  the  prestige  and 
power  of  the  Times  as  a  champion  and  defender  of  those 
policies  and  principles  deemed  most  advantageous  to  the 
people. 

In  the  two  campaigns  in  which  Mr.  McKinley  was  a 
candidate,  Mr.  Francis  and  his  paper  rendered  loyal  and 
effective  support  to  the  candidate,  and  the  honor  now  bestowed 
is  a  graceful  acknowledgment  of  faithful  and  fruitful  service. 

It  is  notable  that  the  mission  to  which  Mr.  Francis  has  been 
chosen  by  the  President  was  the  first  diplomatic  post  to  which 
his  father  was  assigned.  And  while  the  elder  Francis  was 
stationed  at  the  Greek  capital  the  new  minister  acted  as  his 
private  secretary  for  several  years.  During  his  residence 
there  Mr.  Francis  became  versed  in  the  Greek  language, 
customs  and  mode  of  government,  thus  equipping  him  for  the 
position  which  was  to  be  his  in  after  years. 

The  new  minister  is  thoroughly  fitted  in  every  respect  to 
satisfactorily  represent  this  country  in  the  three  missions  to 
which  he  has  been  accredited. 

The  Sunday  News  congratulates  Mr.  Francis  upon  being  the 
recipient  of  such  a  signal  mark  of  President  McKinley's 
confidence  and  friendship.  We  wish  Mr.  Francis  the  fullest 
measure  of  success  in  his  new  field  of  labor.  And  in  doing  so 
we  bespeak  the  sentiment  of  all  our  people. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  35 

A    TROJAN    HONORED. 

(From  The  Troy  Observer,  December  23.) 

Again  Troy  is  honored  by  the  elevation  of  one  of  its  citizens 
to  a  position  of  distinction.  It  has  been  deemed  well  by  the 
people  of  the  Empire  state  to  select  for  the  high  position  of 
Governor  a  Trojan,  and  a  native  of  this  city  was  cent  to  the 
national  capital  to  represent  the  greatest  state  in  the  Union 
in  the  United  States  Senate.  Now  a  Trojan  is  selected  for  an 
important  diplomatic  position,  and  the  choice  is  one  that  is 
cordially  and  heartily  endorsed  by  every  resident  of  this  city, 
regardless  of  politics.  In  appointing  Colonel  Charles  S. 
Francis  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to 
Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  President  McKinley  has 
conferred  an  honor  upon  this  city  which  its  citizens  appreciate. 

Colonel  Francis  is  a  citizen  who  has  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  all  the  community.  He  is  earnest  and  aggressive 
in  support  of  all  that  makes  for  the  best  interests  of  Troy  and 
its  citizens.  Ever  alert  to  all  that  promises  advancement  for 
the  city  in  its  industrial  or  commercial  branches  of  activity, 
he  makes  known  that  interest  through  the  columns  of  his 
paper,  The  Times,  and  in  many  other  ways  exerts  an 
influence  that  is  visibly  felt  in  the  betterment  of  civil 
conditions.  So  much  for  Mr.  Francis  in  his  capacity  as  a 
citizen  of  the  city  upon  which  is  reflected  the  honor  conferred 
upon  him  by  the  highest  authority  in  the  United  States,  the 
President. 

As  to  Mr.  Francis'  fitness  for  the  position  he  has  been  called 
upon  to  fill,  his  residence  abroad  with  his  father  when  the 
latter  was  Minister  to  the  same  country  the  son  is  now  to  visit 
in  a  diplomatic  capacity  speaks  convincingly.  He  was  secre 
tary  to  his  father,  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  and  in  his  intercourse 
with  the  people  of  Greece  learned  much  of  their  manners, 
customs  and  language,  a  knowledge  that  will  now  stand  him 
in  good  stead.  His  habits  of  observation  and  deduction, 
fostered  by  newspaper  work  in  this  city  under  his  father's 
excellent  tutelage,  made  familiarity  with  diplomatic  usages 
easy  of  acquirement.  He  goes  to  the  assumption  of  his 
new  duties  equipped  with  an  experience  which  makes  him 
peculiarly  adapted  to  the  conditions  and  requirements  that 
will  confront  him. 

He  will  carry  with  him  the  well  wishes  of  the  people  of 
this  city,  who  feel  sure  that  he  will  reflect  honor  on  the 
city  which  rejoices  in  the  honor  conferred  upon  him.  Genial 
and  kindly  in  disposition,  frank  and  open  in  his  intercourse 


36  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

with  his  fellow  citizens,  democratic  in  his  tastes  and  loyal 
in  his  friendships,  Colonel  Francis  is  the  kind  of  a  man  that 
Trojans  like  to  see  honored,  and  in  that  feeling  the  Observer 
rejoices  in  having  a  share  and  in  being  able  to  express  it. 
That  he  may  achieve  the  success  in  diplomatic  life  that 
crowned  his  father's  efforts  in  the  service  of  his  country  is 
the  earnest  wish  of  the  Observer. 

Charles  S.  Francis,  nominated  by  President  McKinley  to 
be  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to 
Greece,  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  where  he  now  resides.  He 
is  the  son  of  the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  who  founded  the 
Troy  Times  in  1851,  and  who  held  the  diplomatic  missions  to 
Greece,  Portugal  and  Austria-Hungary. 

Mr.  Francis  graduated  from  Cornell  University  in  1877.  As 
a  student  and  as  alumnus  he  has  been  one  of  the  most 
prominent  members  of  Cornell  University  in  boating.  While 
at  college  he  repeatedly  won  the  single  scull  championship 
of  the  college,  and  in  1876  he  won  the  intercollegiate  single 
scull  championship  at  Saratoga  Lake,  making  time  which  still 
stands  as  the  world's  intercollegiate  record — two  miles  in 
13  minutes  and  42  1-2  seconds. 

Mr.  Francis,  who  learned  the  printer's  trade  at  the  case 
in  the  composing  room  of  his  father's  newspaper,  was 
successively  reporter,  city  editor  and  manager  of  the  Troy 
Times,  in  1881  acquiring  a  proprietary  interest.  In  1887  he 
became  an  equal  partner  with  his  father,  and  on  the  latter's 
death  in  1897  he  succeeded  to  the  editorial  direction  and  the 
sole  ownership  of  the  Troy  Times,  and  became  also  sole  owner 
of  the  Troy  Times  building. 

The  Troy  Times  has  been  one  of  the  best  known  Republican 
newspapers  in  New  York  state,  and  it  was  one  of  the  first  to 
advocate  the  nomination  of  McKinley  in  1896. 

Mr.  Francis  was  secretary  to  his  father  during  the  latter's 
three  years'  residence  at  Athens,  and  is  of  the  same  age  as 
his  father  when  the  latter  thirty  years  ago  was  appointed  by 
President  Grant  Minister  to  Greece. 

Mr.  Francis  was  an  officer  on  the  staff  of  Governor  Alonzo 
B.  Cornell  of  New  York  state,  and  for  eleven  years  on  the 
staff  of  Major  General  Carr,  Third  Division,  National  Guard 
of  New  York  state.  He  is  an  alumni  trustee  of  Cornell 
University,  vice-president  of  the  New  York  Society  for  the 
Preservation  of  Scenic  and  Historic  Places  and  Objects, 
chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  National  Editorial 
Association  and  a  member  of  several  New  York  and  Troy 
clubs. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  37 


(From  The  Troy  Observer,  December  30.) 

Thirty  years  ago  the  Troy  Common  Council  congratulated 
Hon.  John  M.  Francis  upon  his  appointment  as  Minister  to 
Greece.  Thirty  years  later  the  Troy  Common  Council  extends 
congratulations  to  the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis'  son  as 
Minister  to  Greece.  Strange  what  events  transpire  in  this 
grand  panorama  of  life.  But  it  is  fitting  to  remark  that  the 
compliments  of  Troy's  Common  Council,  both  in  1870  and  in 
1900,  were  worthily  bestowed,  and  that  its  action  in  both 
cases  meets  with  the  hearty  commendation  of  all  Trojans, 
irrespective  of  party  affiliations. 


THE    MANTLE    OF   HIS 
FATHER. 

(From  The  Troy  Freie  Presse,  December  22.) 

President  McKinley  last  Tuesday  named  Charles  S.  Francis 
of  Troy  as  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary 
to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  When  we  state  that  we  are 
extremely  pleased  and  gratified  that  the  gentleman  named  is 
a  Trojan,  that  is  not  enough.  We  desire  also  to  say  that  the 
President  did  a  very  proper  act  in  naming  the  right  man  for 
the  position.  Charles  S.  Francis,  the  owner  of  The  Troy 
Daily  Times,  is  a  man  of  the  finest  calibre,  and  a  polished 
gentleman  well  adapted  for  the  diplomatic  service.  What 
is  still  more  in  his  favor  for  the  work  assigned  to  him,  is  that 
his  sainted  father,  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  himself  filled  the 
diplomatic  mission  to  Greece  and  other  prominent  countries. 
Undoubtedly  the  son  is  well  fitted  and  will  do  honor  to  the 
father's  memory,  and  the  mantle  of  the  father  has  fallen  upon 
the  son,  who  with  his  talents  will  do  much  honor  to  his 
ancestor.  We  are  sure  that  Charles  S.  Francis,  who  is  a 
talented  and  successful  business  man  and  a  man  of  honor,  will 
at  his  new  post  represent  the  United  States  in  the  best  way 
and  do  much  honor  to  himself  and  his  country.  He  is  the 
right  man  in  the  right  place. 

The  nomination  of  Charles  S.  Francis  of  this  city  as 
Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia,  was  sent  to  the  United  States  Senate 
last  Tuesday  by  the  President,  and  since  then  has  been 
confirmed  by  that  body. 


38  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

Mr.  Francis  is  a  real  Trojan,  born  and  raised  here,  and 
always  an  active  journalist.  His  father  was  the  late  John 
M.  Francis,  the  founder  of  The  Troy  Daily  Times,  who  after 
an  honorable  and  upright  career  passed  away  June  18,  1897. 
Young  Mr.  Francis  was,  during  his  preparation  for  college,  an 
assistant  in  the  composing  room  of  the  Times,  and  learned 
all  the  mechanical  details  and  made  himself  in  this  way  fit 
for  the  different  positions  he  occupied  in  later  years.  He 
graduated  from  Cornell  University  in  1877,  and  filled  the 
positions  of  reporter  and  local  and  managing  editor  of  the 
Times.  He  was  then  partner  of  his  father  until  the  death 
of  the  latter.  After  that  Mr.  Francis  became  the  exclusive 
owner  of  the  Times. 

Charles  S.  Francis  was  one  of  the  staff  officers  of  Governor 
Alonzo  B.  Cornell  of  this  state,  and  was  many  years  a  member 
of  Major  General  J.  B.  Carr's  staff  of  the  Third  Division,  New 
York  State  National  Guard.  He  is  chairman  of  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  National  Republican  Editorial  Association, 
and  a  member  of  many  clubs  in  New  York  and  Troy.  Mr. 
Francis  is  much  respected  by  the  German  population  of  this 
city,  and  they  are  much  pleased  with  his  appointment. 


HISTORY    REPEATS    ITSELF. 

(Troy    Correspondence    of    The    Albany    Sunday    Telegram, 
December  23.) 

The  Sunday  Telegram's  prediction  has  been  realized. 
Nearly  four  years  ago,  or  to  be  exact,  on  April  18,  1897,  this 
paper  stated  that  President  McKinley  would  appoint  Charles 
S.  Francis  of  this  city  to  be  minister  to  one  of  the  foreign 
courts.  And  this  prediction  has  come  to  pass,  for  this  week 
President  McKinley  sent  to  the  senate  for  confirmation  the 
appointment  of  Mr.  Francis  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary  and 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia. 
The  Sunday  Telegram  takes  no  credit  to  itself  for  predicting 
four  years  in  advance  of  the  confirmation  the  action  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States  in  this  important  matter.  Mr. 
Francis  deserves  recognition;  he  is  entitled  to  the  honor  and 
being  a  worthy  young  man,  a  native  Trojan  and  a  sterling, 
hard  working  Republican,  the  recognition  from  the  chief 
executive  is  certainly  due  him.  And  being  a  newspaper  man 
(he  is  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Troy  Times)  the  heart  of 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  39 


every  newspaper  man  in  the  city  warms  towards  Minister 
Francis  and  congratulations  are  pouring  in  from  all  sides. 
And  of  all  of  the  messages  of  congratulation  received  by  the 
new  appointee,  those  from  his  fellow  citizens,  those  from  the 
men  in  this  community  who  know  him  best,  are  esteemed  the 
highest.  While  some  of  Mr.  Francis'  fellow  citizens  may 
differ  with  him  in  politics  and  in  party  management,  all  agree 
that  the  honor  of  the  appointment  is  well  bestowed  and 
wisely.  Trojans  feel  honored  in  thinking  that  a  Trojan  has 
been  found  worthy  to  receive  the  appointment  as  Minister  to 
Greece  and  the  liveliest  satisfaction  is  expressed.  As  editor 
and  proprietor  of  the  Troy  Times,  a  strong  party  organ,  Mr. 
Francis  is  one  of  the  journalistic  leaders  of  the  state,  and 
members  of  the  newspaper  fraternity  feel  proud  that  President 
McKinley  has  gone  into  the  ranks  of  the  working  journalists 
to  find  a  man  sufficiently  capable  and  worthy  to  fill  so 
important  an  office  as  minister  abroad.  A  number  of  years 
ago  Mr.  Francis'  father,  the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  served 
his  country  as  minister  abroad  and  served  it  well.  That  the 
honor  of  a  foreign  berth  should  come  to  the  son,  Hon.  Charles 
S.  Francis,  seems  peculiarly  appropriate.  And  so  history 
repeats  itself.  The  Telegram  congratulates  Editor  Francis, 
congratulates  The  Troy  Times,  and  congratulates  Troy 
newspapers  in  general. 


FROM  THE    PRESS  OF   THE   METROPOLIS 

The  journals  of  New  York  City  gave  biographical 
sketches  of  Mr.  Francis,  and  editorially  commended  the 
appointment.  The  following  are  representative  extracts: 


A  WORLD'S    RECORD. 

(From  The  New  York  Press,  December  19.) 

Charles  S.  Francis,  nominated  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary 
and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  was  born  in  Troy, 
N.  Y.  He  is  the  son  of  John  M.  Francis,  who  founded  the 
Troy  Daily  Times  in  1851,  and  who  held  the  diplomatic 
missions  to  Greece,  Portugal  and  Austria-Hungary. 

Mr.  Francis  was  graduated  from  Cornell  University  in 
1877.  While  in  college  he  repeatedly  won  the  single-scull 
championship  of  the  university,  and  in  1876  he  won  the 
intercollegiate  single-scull  championship  on  Saratoga  Lake, 
making  time  which  still  stands  as  the  world's  intercollegiate 
record — two  miles  in  13  minutes  and  42  3-4  seconds. 

Mr.  Francis  learned  the  printer's  trade  in  the  composing 
room  of  his  father's  newspaper,  and  was  successively  reporter, 
city  editor  and  manager  of  The  Troy  Times.  In  1881  he 
acquired  a  partnership  interest.  In  1887  he  became  an  equal 
partner  with  his  father,  and  on  his  father's  death  in  1897 
succeeded  to  the  editorial  direction  and  sole  ownership  of  The 
Troy  Times. 

Mr.  Francis  was  secretary  to  his  father  while  the  latter 
was  Minister  to  Greece,  and  is  of  the  same  age  as  his 
father  when  thirty  years  ago  he  was  appointed  by  President 
Grant  Minister  to  Greece. 

Mr.  Francis  was  an  officer  on  the  staff  of  Governor  Alonzo 
B.  Cornell  of  New  York  State,  and  for  eleven  years  on  the 
staff  of  Major  General  Carr,  Third  Division,  National  Guard 
of  the  State  of  New  York.  He  is  Vice-President  of  the  New 
York  Society  for  the  Preservation  of  Scenic  and  Historic 
Places  and  Objects,  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  of 
the  National  Republican  Editorial  Association  and  a  member 
of  several  New  York  and  Troy  clubs. 


42 CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

ADMIRABLY  QUALIFIED. 

(From  The  New  York  Mail  and  Express,  December  19.) 

There  is  a  degree  of  fitness  in  the  nomination  of  Col.  Charles 
S.  Francis,  editor  of  The  Troy  Times,  as  Minister  to  Greece, 
which  stamps  it  as  one  of  the  happiest  of  the  President's 
diplomatic  appointments.  Colonel  Francis  is  admirably  quali 
fied  for  the  duties  of  this  honorable  and  important  mission. 
His  intellectual  attainments  are  of  the  highest  order,  he 
possesses  the  character  and  temperament  required  in  the 
diplomatic  service,  and  in  addition  to  this  equipment,  he 
enjoys  the  advantage  of  a  liberal  acquaintance  with  Greek 
affairs,  having  served  as  secretary  to  his  father,  the  late  Hon. 
John  M.  Francis,  during  the  latter's  term  as  Minister  to  Greece 
thirty  years  ago. 

Charles  Spencer  Francis,  the  new  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia,  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.  He  is  the  only 
son  of  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  who  founded  The  Troy  Times 
in  1851.  Mr.  Francis,  under  his  father,  acquired  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  newspaper  business.  He  has  been 
compositor,  pressman,  stereotyper,  reporter,  city  editor, 
managing  editor  and  business  manager.  He  has  always 
shown  a  great  liking  for  athletics  and  military  matters,  and 
served  on  the  staff  of  Governor  Cornell.  He  is  vice-president 
of  the  New  York  Society  for  the  Preservation  of  Scenic  and 
Historic  Places  and  Objects,  chairman  of  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  National  Republican  Editorial  Association, 
and  a  member  of  many  other  clubs  and  organizations.  He  is, 
besides,  a  Cornell  University  man,  and  has  always  taken  a 
great  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  his  alma  mater, 
especially  rowing.  He  was  a  member  of  a  crew  in  his  day,  and 
when  Cornell  sent  a  crew  to  Henley  a  few  years  ago  Mr. 
Francis  accompanied  them.  The  position  to  which  he  has 
been  appointed  was  formerly  filled  by  his  father,  who 
subsequently  represented  this  country  at  Lisbon  and  Vienna. 

The  new  Minister  is  the  editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy 
Times,  succeeding  to  that  position  on  the  death  in  1897  of  his 
father,  Hon.  John  M.  Francis.  It  is  a  curious  coincidence  that 
the  son  is  now  called  upon  to  fill  the  same  diplomatic  position 
to  which  his  father  was  appointed  by  President  Grant  in 
1871.  The  elder  Francis  held  three  diplomatic  missions — to 
Greece,  to  Portugal  and  to  Austria-Hungary,  resigning  a 
diplomatic  career  to  resume  work  on  the  paper  he  had 
founded.  During  the  three  years'  residence  of  the  late  John 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  43 

M.  Francis  at  Athens  the  son  acted  as  his  father's  secretary. 
There  is  another  coincidence  connected  with  the  appointment 
— Mr.  Francis  is  of  the  same  age  his  father  was  when  called 
upon  to  represent  the  United  States  as  Minister  to  Greece. 
It  is  the  first  elective  or  appointive  office  that  he  has  ever 
held,  though  long  prominent  in  the  councils  of  his  party.  He 
is  a  native  of  Troy,  and  graduate  of  Cornell.  He  won 
the  single-scull  championship  of  the  university  and  the 
intercollegiate  scull  championship  in  1876  on  Saratoga 
Lake,  making  a  record  which  still  stands  as  the  world's 
intercollegiate  record.  The  passion  for  boating  has  descended 
to  the  son,  John  M.  Francis,  who  in  1899  won  the  single-scull 
championship  of  Cornell,  as  his  father  had  done  more  than 
twenty  years  before.  Mr.  Francis  is  prominent  in  business, 
social  and  club  life,  and  has  many  important  financial  interests. 
His  paper  was  among  the  first  to  urge  the  renomination 
of  President  William  McKinley,  whose  election  by  an 
overwhelming  majority  is  still  talked  of. 


AN    ARDENT   REPUBLICAN 
WORKER. 

(From  The  New  York  Times,  December  19.) 

Charles  Spencer  Francis  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.  Mr. 
Francis  as  a  newspaper  man  understood  every  branch  of  the 
business.  He  has  been  compositor,  pressman,  stereotyper, 
reporter,  city  editor,  managing  editor  and  business  manager. 
He  has  always  manifested  a  great  liking  for  athletics  and 
military  matters.  He  served  on  the  staff  of  Governor  Cornell. 
He  is  Vice-President  of  the  New  York  State  Society  for  the 
Preservation  of  Scenic  and  Historic  Places  and  Objects, 
Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  National 
Republican  Editorial  Association,  and  is  a  member  of  many 
New  York  and  Troy  clubs. 

The  position  to  which  he  has  been  appointed  was  formerly 
filled  by  his  father,  who  subsequently  represented  this  country 
at  Lisbon  and  Vienna.  He  is  a  stanch  friend  of  ex-Governor 
F.  S.  Black,  and  has  been  an  ardent  worker  in  the  Republican 
cause  up  the  state. 


44  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

VICTORIES   WON   FOR 
CORNELL. 

(From  The  New  York  Sun,  December  19.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  appointed  Minister  to  Greece,  is  a  native 
of  Troy,  where  his  father,  John  M.  Francis,  founded  The 
Troy  Times,  of  which  his  son  is  now  editor.  Mr.  Francis 
entered  Cornell  with  the  class  of  1876  and  in  his  senior  year 
won  the  single-scull  championship  in  the  intercollegiate 
regatta,  thus  capturing  for  his  alma  mater  the  third  prize 
she  had  won  that  day,  both  the  'varsity  and  freshman  crews 
having  defeated  their  rivals,  including  representatives  of 
Harvard,  Princeton  and  Yale.  Since  his  graduation  Mr. 
Francis  has  always  taken  a  lively  interest  in  aquatics,  and 
to  his  support  are  due  many  of  the  victories  won  by  Cornell. 
The  post  of  United  States  Minister  to  Greece  was  held  by 
his  father  during  President  Grant's  administration. 


AN    ADMIRABLE 
SELECTION. 

(From  The  New  York  Tribune,  December  19.) 
The  selection  of  Colonel  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and 
proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  as  Minister  to  Greece  is  an 
admirable  one.  Mr.  Francis  is  well  fitted  for  the  position  by 
training  and  character.  While  he  has  never  held  any  other 
political  office,  he  has  had  a  wide  familiarity  with  public 
affairs.  Exactly  thirty  years  ago  President  Grant  appointed 
his  father,  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  to  the  same  mission. 
During  the  three  years  the  father  remained  at  Athens  the  son 
acted  as  his  secretary,  thus  securing  the  most  valuable 
acquaintance  with  the  affairs  of  that  post.  The  reputation 
which  the  elder  Francis  won  for  successful  diplomatic  service, 
not  only  in  Greece,  but  also  as  Minister  to  Portugal  and 
Austria-Hungary,  serves  itself  as  an  indorsement  of  the 
present  appointment. 

Colonel  Francis  has  won  success  and  a  high  reputation  in 
his  chosen  field  of  professional  work.  Extending  and 
enlarging,  if  not  bettering,  the  scope  of  his  father's  journalistic 
labors,  he  has  made  The  Troy  Times  one  of  the  most 
influential  and  interesting  of  the  daily  newspapers  outside  of 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  45 

the  great  cities.  The  same  energy,  fidelity  to  high  ideals  and 
devotion  to  the  public  interests  in  his  new  post  of  duty  will 
add  to  the  distinction  that  his  father  won  and  strengthen  the 
American  diplomatic  service. 

(From  The  Tribune,  December  29.) 

Washington,  Dec.  28. — Charles  S.  Francis,  proprietor  of  The 
Troy  Times,  to-day  received  from  Secretary  Hay  his 
commission  as  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  Mr. 
Francis  received  his  instructions  from  the  officials  of  the 
Department,  and  will  sail  for  Athens  on  January  12.  He  will 
be  accompanied  by  his  family,  with  the  exception  of  his 
eldest  son,  who  will  remain  to  complete  his  course  at  Cornell. 


A    REMARKABLE 
COINCIDENCE. 

(From  The  New  York  Evening  Post,  December  20.) 
It  is  a  remarkable  coincidence  that  John  M.  Francis,  the 
founder  of  The  Troy  Times,  should  have  held  the  same  office 
which  his  son  has  now  been  called  to  fill.  The  senior  Francis 
was  made  Minister  to  Greece  by  President  Grant  in  1871,  and 
held  the  office  for  three  years,  resigning  in  order  to  return 
to  active  journalistic  work.  The  son,  succeeding  the  father 
as  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Times,  is  now  chosen  to  occupy 
the  same  post. 


PERSONA    GRATA. 

(From  The  Resorter.) 

Charles  Spencer  Francis,  the  publisher  of  The  Troy  Times, 
recently  appointed  Minister  of  the  United  States  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia,  is  a  traveler.  The  writer  has  very 
pleasant  recollections  of  a  trip  from  Los  Angeles  to  Chicago 
in  the  same  car  with  him,  and  if  his  popularity  at  the  courts 
to  which  he  has  just  been  accredited  shall  be  measured  by 
his  ability  to  make  friends  during  a  transcontinental  trip  in  a 
Pullman,  it  is  safe  to  say  that  the  publisher  of  The  Troy  Times 
will  quickly  become  "persona  grata." 


46  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

GENUINE   AND    GENERAL 
SATISFACTION. 

(From  Leslie's  Weekly,  January  5.) 

The  newspapers  of  the  country  express  genuine  and  general 
satisfaction  with  the  recent  appointment,  by  the  President, 
of  Colonel  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  owner  of  the  Troy 
(N.  Y.)  Times,  to  be  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia. 
Colonel  Francis  was  born  in  Troy,  and  was  graduated  from 
Cornell  University,  where  he  won  the  single-scull  championship 
on  several  occasions.  While  representing  Cornell  he  also 
won  the  intercollegiate  single-scull  championship  on  Saratoga 
Lake  in  1876,  and  made  a  record  that  still  stands  unchallenged. 
His  father  was  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  who  founded  The 
Troy  Times  in  1851,  and  who  was  honored  by  appointment 
as  Minister  to  Greece,  afterward  to  Portugal,  and  finally  to 
Austria.  When  Colonel  Francis,  after  his  graduation  from 
Cornell,  entered  his  father's  office  he  thoroughly  mastered 
every  department  of  the  printer's  trade  and  of  the  editorial 
profession.  On  his  father's  death  he  became  the  sole  owner 
of  the  paper,  which  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  influential 
in  the  state.  He  had  never  sought  or  held  public  office,  and 
it  is  a  singular  coincidence  that  he  is  of  the  same  age  as  was 
his  father  when  the  latter,  thirty  years  ago,  was  appointed 
by  President  Grant  as  Minister  to  Greece.  Colonel  Francis 
was  secretary  to  his  father  while  the  latter  resided  in  Greece, 
and  speaks  the  continental  languages  with  great  fluency. 
His  military  title  comes  from  his  appointment  on  the  staff  of 
Governor  Cornell.  He  also  served  in  the  National  Guard  of 
the  state  for  eleven  years,  on  the  staff  of  the  late  Major 
General  Carr.  He  is  chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee 
of  the  National  Republican  Editorial  Association,  and  is 
widely  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  successful 
members  of  his  profession. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  47 

A    BLACK    REPUBLICAN. 

(From  The  New  York  Herald,  December  19.) 

Charles  S.  Francis  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  whose  father  was  Minister 
to  Austria,  was  nominated  to-day  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
Mr.  Hardy's  transfer.  Mr.  Francis  belongs  to  "the  Black 
wing"  of  the  Republican  party  and  is  editor  of  a  Republican 
newspaper  in  Troy. 


AS    HIS    FATHER    HONORED 
HIS    COUNTRY. 

(From  The  New  York  Staats  Zeitung,  December  22.) 

Charles  S.  Francis,  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  who 
has  been  appointed  United  States  Minister  to  Greece,  will 
honor  this  country  as  did  his  illustrious  father  and  official 
predecessor. 


Other  New  York  city  journals,  as  well  as  many  others 
throughout  the  country  that  are  not  quoted  in  these  pages, 
published  biographical  sketches  and  portraits  of  Mr.  Francis. 


WHAT  NEW  YORK  STATE   PAPERS  SAID 

The  newspapers  of  New  York  State  were  profuse  in 
their  expression  of  pleasure  at  the  appointment  and  of 
well-wishing  to  the  new  Minister.  From  these  expressions 
the  following  are  taken: 


EMINENTLY    QUALIFIED. 

(From  The  Albany  Argus,  December  20.) 
The  nomination  of  Charles  S.  Francis  of  Troy  to  be  Envoy 
Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the  United 
States  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  will  be  generally 
applauded.  Mr.  Francis  is  eminently  qualified  to  fill  that 
office  with  intelligence  and  usefulness,  and  there  is  no 
possible  objection  to  him  except  his  politics.  But  the  present 
Administration  cannot  be  expected  to  nominate  others  than 
Republicans.  As  the  editor  and  chief  proprietor  of  The  Troy 
Times,  Mr.  Francis  has  won  general  esteem,  and  the  only 
regret  is  that  he  should  think  of  entering  upon  a  diplomatic 
career  that  will  take  him  out  of  his  native  land.  The  mission 
to  Greece  probably  has  a  special  attraction  for  him,  because 
it  was  once  held  by  his  father,  and  we  believe  Mr.  Charles 
S.  Francis  was  at  one  time  secretary  to  the  legation  there, 
so  that  he  will  not  be  a  stranger  in  Athens. 


FITNESS    AND    MERIT. 

(From  The  Albany  Journal,  December  19.) 
In  nominating  Charles  S.  Francis,  proprietor  and  editor 
of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  United  States  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia,  President  McKinley  has  recognized 
fitness  and  merit,  News  of  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Francis 
to  one  of  the  diplomatic  posts  of  which  his  father,  the  late 
John  M.  Francis,  was  once  an  incumbent,  will  gratify  the 
many  friends  of  this  worthy  American  citizen,  able  newspaper 
man  and  stanch  Republican. 


50  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

THE   SOUNDEST   JUDGMENT. 

(From   The   Albany   Press-Knickerbocker-Express,   December 

19.) 

A  Washington  dispatch  yesterday  announced  that  President 
McKinley  had  nominated  Mr.  Charles  S.  Francis  of  Troy,  N.  Y., 
Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia  in  place  of  Mr. 
A.  S.  Hardy,  of  New  Hampshire,  who  has  been  named  as 
Minister  to  Switzerland. 

This  is  good  news  for  the  friends  of  Editor  Charles  S. 
Francis  of  the  Troy  Times,  who  for  some  years  has  been 
prominent  in  journalism.  The  selection  of  Mr.  Francis  for 
one  of  the  responsible  foreign  appointments  in  the  gift  of 
the  President  is  an  appropriate  one  indeed.  Mr.  Francis' 
father,  the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  was  many  years  ago 
Minister  to  Greece,  and  during  his  sojourn  in  Athens  he  and 
his  family  formed  friendships  which  were  only  severed  by 
death.  It  was  while  editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times 
that  the  elder  Mr.  Francis  served  acceptably  and  at  different 
periods  as  Minister  to  Portugal,  Greece  and  Austria. 

Editor  Francis,  as  the  head  of  an  enterprising  daily 
newspaper,  has  frequently  been  compelled  to  exercise  caution 
as  well  as  diplomacy  in  dealing  with  affairs  and  with  men. 
In  his  official  position  he  will,  without  doubt,  manifest  the 
soundest  judgment  which  has  distinguished  him  in  the 
journalistic  world.  The  Press-Knickerbocker-Express  tenders 
congratulations  to  Editor  Francis  and  hopes  that  his  sojourn 
abroad  will  be  as  pleasant  as  a  dream  of  Arcadia.  Of  one 
thing  we  are  assured,  and  that  is  that  the  prospective 
Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia  will  always  remain 
a  true  American. 


AN   EXCELLENT  APPOINTMENT. 

(From  The  Albany  Times  Union,  December  19.) 
Congratulations  are  extended  to  Col.  Charles  S.  Francis 
of  The  Troy  Times  on  his  appointment  as  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia.  The  appointment  is  an  excellent  one. 
Colonel  Francis'  father,  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  filled  the 
office  in  a  most  creditable  manner,  reflecting  honor  on  his 
country  and  himself.  Colonel  Francis  will  make  an  equally 
creditable  record. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  51 

GRATIFYING  TO   THE    NEWSPAPER 
FRATERNITY. 

(From  The  Buffalo  Courier,  December  19.) 
The  new  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia  is 
Charles  S.  Francis,  the  popular  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times, 
whose  appointment  will  be  very  gratifying  to  the  newspaper 
fraternity  of  the  State.  His  distinguished  father,  John  M. 
Francis,  began  his  diplomatic  career  in  Greece  from  1871  to 
1873,  and  later  represented  the  United  States  in  both  Portugal 
and  Austria-Hungary.  The  son  will,  no  doubt,  serve  his 
country  as  acceptably  abroad. 


A    MIGHTY    GOOD    FELLOW. 

(From  The  Buffalo  Express,  December  19.) 
Arthur  Sherburne  Hardy,  the  novelist,  who  was  Minister 
to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  has  been  promoted  to  the 
Swiss  Mission,  and  Charles  S.  Francis  of  The  Troy  Times 
falls  into  the  vacancy.  The  younger  Francis  is  a  mighty 
good  fellow.  He  belongs  to  the  Black  faction  in  State  politics. 
He  is  a  vigorous,  cheery,  hustling  young  American  editor. 
His  father,  John  M.  Francis,  once  held  the  diplomatic  post 
to  which  he  has  now  been  appointed. 


HONORED  BY  THE  STATE, 
NATION  AND  PARTY. 

(From  The  Buffalo  Commercial,  December  19.) 
President  McKinley  yesterday  nominated  Mr.  Charles  S. 
Francis  of  Troy  to  be  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and 
Servia.  Mr.  Francis  is  the  editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy 
Times,  one  of  the  best  known,  most  highly  honored  and 
profitable  newspapers  in  the  country.  The  son  follows  in  the 
footsteps  of  an  honored  father,  in  his  day  and  generation 
one  of  the  strongest  men  in  the  ranks  of  the  Republican 
party  and  a  man  who  made  an  excellent  record  in  several 
diplomatic  positions.  There  is  every  reason  to  believe  that 
the  son  will  do  equal  credit  to  the  state  and  nation  and  the 
party  that  thus  honors  him. 


52  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

RECEIVED   WITH   ENTHUSIASM. 

(From  The  Buffalo  Times,  December  19.) 
The  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis,  proprietor  of  The 
Troy  Times,  as  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  is 
one  that  will  be  received  with  much  enthusiasm  not  only  in 
Republican  newspaper  circles  but  in  others. 

Mr.  Francis  was  one  of  the  founders  of  athletics  at  Cornell 
College,  and  was  also  at  one  time  one  of  the  foremost  workers 
in  the  news-gathering  branch  of  the  Associated  Press.  His 
father  was  a  veteran  newspaper  publisher  and  stood  high  in 
the  counsels  of  his  party.  He  filled  this  same  position  from 
1871  to  1873,  and  later  was  the  representative  of  this 
government  at  Portugal  and  Austria-Hungary.  It  is  an 
admirable  appointment. 


WELL   EQUIPPED. 

(From  The  Rochester  Democrat  and  Chronicle,  December  20.) 
President  McKinley  has  appointed  Charles  S.  Francis,  of 
The  Troy  Times,  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia. 
The  union  of  the  three  countries  for  one  mission  adds  the 
delights  of  travel  to  the  honors  of  the  post. 

Mr.  Francis  is  well  equipped  for  the  service,  especially  in 
Greece,  as  he  served  for  a  time  as  Secretary  of  Legation  in 
Athens  when  his  father,  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  was 
Minister  in  the  early  seventies.  Charles  S.  Francis  was 
then  a  student.  He  succeeded  Professor  Edward  North,  who 
was  Secretary  of  Legation  for  about  a  year. 

The  service  of  the  elder  Francis  was  most  acceptable,  and 
he  was  popular  in  the  Athenian  capital.  His  son  and 
secretary  shared  his  popularity.  We  recall  that  during  his 
stay  in  Athens  Charles  S.  Francis  had  an  exciting  experience 
during  a  journey  on  horseback  into  the  interior.  In  the 
early  seventies  the  Greek  brigand  was  much  in  evidence,  and 
tourists  could  not  safely  venture  far  outside  the  city  without 
an  escort  of  troops.  Mr.  Francis  ventured  somewhat  and 
rode  back  into  Athens  in  a  hurried  way.  But  conditions  have 
changed  greatly  in  thirty  years,  and  it  is  now  safe  to  travel 
through  Greece  without  escort.  The  Greek  brigand  has  been 
suppressed. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  53 

Mr.  Francis  returns  to  Athens  in  the  prime  of  life  and  after 
an  experience  in  politics  and  journalism  that  fits  him  to 
represent  the  United  States  with  credit.  Our  relations  with 
Greece  are  more  important  than  they  were  thirty  years  ago. 
In  recent  years  there  has  been  a  considerable  immigration 
of  Greeks  to  the  United  States,  and  during  the  war  with 
Turkey  several  hundred  returned  to  the  fatherland  to  take 
up  arms. 

With  a  taste  for  travel  and  the  classics,  Mr.  Francis  will 
find  his  mission  most  agreeable. 


WORTHY    OF   IT. 

(From  The  Rochester  Union-Advertiser,  December  19.) 
President  McKinley  yesterday  appointed  Charles  S.  Francis 
of  The  Troy  Times  Minister  at  Athens.  Envoy  Extraordinary 
and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia 
is  the  title  of  the  office.  The  Union  congratulates  Mr.  Francis 
on  his  preferment.  He  is  worthy  of  it.  It  is  a  matter  for 
mention  that  his  father,  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  who,  like 
himself,  was  a  printer  and  founded  The  Troy  Times  in  1851, 
after  having  been  editor  of  the  Wayne  Sentinel  at  the 
neighboring  village  of  Palmyra,  was  appointed  to  the  same 
identical  diplomatic  post  by  President  Grant  in  1871,  from 
which  he  resigned  in  1873. 


AN    HONOR   TO   THE 
REPUBLIC. 

(From  The  Syracuse  Post-Standard  December  20.) 
The  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  owner 
of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and 
Servia  is  a  worthy  appointment,  a  fitting  recognition,  a  well 
earned  reward,  an  honor  to  the  newspaper  trade  and  a 
guarantee  of  good  service,  rolled  into  one. 

The  Troy  Times  is  an  honor  to  New  York  State  journalism, 
and  Mr.  Francis  in  Greece  will  be  an  honor  to  the  Republic. 


54  CHARLES   S.   FRANCIS 

HEARTILY   COMMENDED. 

(From  The  Syracuse  Herald,  December  19.) 
The  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  owner 
of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and 
Servia — a  post  once  occupied  with  distinction  by  his  father, 
the  late  John  M.  Francis — will  heartily  be  commended  by 
the  newspaper  fraternity  of  New  York  State.  Mr.  Francis 
has  had  a  prosperous  and  busy  newspaper  career,  and  we 
cannot  understand  why  he  should  be  willing  to  abandon  it, 
even  temporarily,  to  represent  the  Government  in  Greece; 
but  as  such  is  his  wish,  we  are  glad  it  is  to  be  satisfied. 


A    GRACEFUL    RECOGNITION. 

(From  The  Syracuse  Telegram,  December  20.) 
The  appointment  by  President  McKinley,  with  the  consent 
of  the  Senate,  of  the  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and 
proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary 
and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia, 
is  a  graceful  recognition  of  the  services  of  Editor  Francis  to 
the  Republican  party. 

It  is  regarded,  moreover,  as  a  remarkable  coincidence  that 
the  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  the  founder  of  The  Troy  Times, 
should  have  held  the  same  office  which  his  son  has  now  been 
called  to  fill.  The  senior  Francis  was  made  Minister  to 
Greece  by  President  Grant  in  1871,  and  held  the  office  for 
three  years,  resigning  in  order  to  return  to  active  journalistic 
work.  The  son,  succeeding  the  father  as  editor  and  proprietor 
of  The  Troy  Times,  is  now  chosen  to  occupy  the  same  post. 
The  double  compliment  to  The  Troy  Times  is  said  to  be 
without  parallel. 


A    PLEASANT   SENSATION. 

(From  The  Utica  Observer,  December  19.) 
President  McKinley  yesterday  sprung  a  pleasant  sensation 
on  the  newspaper  men  of  the  State  in  nominating  Colonel 
Charles  S.  Francis  of  The  Troy  Times  to  be  Minister  to  Greece, 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  55 

Roumania  and  Servia.  He  is  the  only  son  of  the  late  Hon. 
John  M.  Francis,  and  since  his  father's  death  in  '97  he  has 
been  the  sole  owner  and  editor  of  The  Times.  In  Colonel 
Francis'  desire  to  receive  the  mission  to  Greece,  where  his 
father  served  thirty  years  ago,  there  is  the  sentiment  of 
loyalty  to  his  father's  memory  which  is  attractive.  Whether 
or  not  the  Grecian  beauty  has  declined  during  the  last  third 
of  a  century,  Colonel  Francis,  surrounded  by  his  family  and 
familiar  with  scenes  where  he  served  as  his  father's  secretary, 
will  feel  very  much  at  home  in  Athens  and  the  surrounding 
country.  It  is  up  to  Senators  Platt  and  Depew  to  say  if  he  can 
go,  and  we  anticipate  no  opposition  from  them.  Governor 
Black  will  soon  be  seeing  him  off  on  an  ocean  greyhound. 


A    DESIRABLE    POST. 

(From  The  Glens  Falls  Star,  December  19.) 
President  McKinley  yesterday  sent  to  the  senate  the 
nomination  of  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  proprietor  of 
The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  Mr.  Francis 
and  The  Times  are  fit  subjects  for  congratulation.  The  post 
is  a  desirable  one,  and  he  will  doubtless  perform  the  duties 
with  credit  to  himself  and  the  government  which  he  will 
represent.  The  father  of  Mr.  Francis,  the  late  John  M. 
Francis,  represented  his  country  in  a  similar  capacity,  having 
been  appointed  Minister  to  Greece  in  1871.  It  will  thus  be 
seen  that  the  editors  of  The  Troy  Times  are  peculiarly 
fortunate.  Few  newspaper  men  are  favored  with  offices  of 
honor  and  emolument. 


SINCERE    CONGRATULATIONS. 

(From  The  Binghamton  Leader,  December  19.) 
Editor  Charles  S.  Francis  of  The  Troy  Times  will  have  the 
sincere  congratulations  of  the  press  of  the  country  on  his 
nomination    by    the    President    to    be    Minister    to    Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia. 


56  CHARLES   S.   FRANCIS 

BROTHERLY   CONGRATULATIONS. 

(From  The  Binghamton  Republican,  December  20.) 
His  brethren  of  the  newspaper  fraternity  congratulate 
Charles  S.  Francis  of  The  Troy  Times  on  his  appointment 
as  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  It  sounds  like 
a  triple-headed  sort  of  commission,  and  the  salary  may  be 
of  the  same  kind.  A  man  who  has  made  a  cheerful  success 
of  living  in  Troy  can  be  happy  anywhere,  even  in  Servia  or 
Roumania.  Almost  all  of  the  brethren  have  heard  of  Greece 
and  the  Greek  Grammar  and  will  be  pleased,  while  Mr. 
Francis  is  there  to  give  them  the  glad  hand,  to  familiarize 
themselves  with  Greece  and  to  forget  about  the  Greek 
Grammar. 


THE    FITNESS    OF 
THINGS. 

(From  The  Kingston  Freeman,  December  20.) 
In  nominating  Charles  S.  Francis  of  Troy  to  be  Envoy 
Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the  United 
States  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  President  McKinley 
has  shown  a  keen  appreciation  of  the  fitness  of  things.  Mr. 
Francis  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  duties  of  a  diplomat, 
being  suave,  shrewd  and  far-seeing.  Besides,  he  has  the 
advantage  of  speaking  both  French  and  modern  Greek 
perfectly,  having  acted  as  interpreter  years  ago  to  his  father, 
the  late  John  M.  Francis,  who  then  held  the  position  to  which 
he  will  now  succeed.  It  is  not  the  least  of  Mr.  Francis'  merits 
that  he  is  the  editor  of  The  Troy  Times — one  of  the  best 
newspapers  in  the  country. 


HONOR   FOR   AN 
EDITOR. 

(From  The  Rochester  Times,  December  18.) 
Charles  S.  Francis  is  the  editor  and  publisher  of  The  Troy 
Times,  which  was  largely  influential  in  the  nomination  of 
Governor  Black.    Mr.  Francis  is  a  Cornell  man  and  prominent 
in  connection  with  Cornell  aquatics. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  57 

HEARTY   APPROBATION. 

(From  The  Saratogian,  December  19.) 
Colonel  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  sole  owner  of  The 
Troy  Times,  has  been  nominated  by  President  McKinley  as 
Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  and  the  appointment 
will  be  confirmed  by  the  United  States  Senate.  The 
diplomatic  position  is  a  most  honorable  one  and  will  be  ably 
filled  by  Colonel  Francis,  who  is  to  be  congratulated  upon 
the  enviable  recognition  he  has  received. 

It  cannot  but  afford  Minister  Francis  an  endless  amount  of 
pleasure  to  realize  that  he  has  been  chosen  for  the  diplomatic 
mission  which  was  so  ably  occupied  for  several  years  by  his 
distinguished  father,  the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  the 
founder  of  The  Troy  Times. 

The  Times,  under  the  personal  control  and  management 
of  Colonel  Francis,  has  performed  faithful  service  for  the 
Republican  cause,  and  this  deserved  recognition  of  the  work 
rendered  will  meet  the  hearty  approbation  of  the  many 
Saratoga  friends  of  Minister  Francis. 


AN    UNUSUALLY    HAPPY 
SELECTION. 

(From  The  Schenectady  Union,  December  20.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  the  owner  of  The  Troy  Times,  has  been 
appointed  to  the  high  office  of  Minister  to  Greece  by  President 
McKinley.  The  selection  made  by  the  Chief  Executive  is  an 
unusually  happy  one.  Mr.  Francis  is  the  possessor  of  all  the 
qualities  that  will  make  him  a  success  in  diplomatic  life. 
His  ability  is  unquestioned  and  he  is  no  novice  in  court  circles. 
His  honored  father,  John  M.  Francis,  was  also  Minister  to 
Greece  and  while  occupying  that  position  the  son  was  his 
secretary.  The  knowledge  he  then  gained,  backed  by  his 
ability,  will  make  him  one  of  the  administration's  most  valued 
foreign  representatives. 

To  Mr.  Francis  The  Union  extends  its  heartiest  congratula 
tions,  and  also  an  assurance  that  its  firm  belief  that  he  will  be 
just  as  successful  in  his  official  life  as  he  has  been  as  a 
newspaper  man  will  most  certainly  be  justified. 


58  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

A    POPULAR   NOMINATION. 

(From  The  Ithaca  News,  December  19.) 
The  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis  to  be  Minister  to 
Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  which  was  announced  yesterday, 
is  to  Ithaca  one  of  the  most  popular  nominations  made  by 
President  McKinley  during  his  term  of  office.  Though  Mr. 
Francis  is  not  a  resident  of  the  city,  he  has  taken  such  an 
active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  University  and  been  so 
closely  indentified  with  Cornell  that  a  majority  of  the  citizens 
take  as  much  pride  in  his  appointment  as  they  would  if  he 
were  a  fellow-townsman. 

A  peculiar  coincidence  is  the  fact  that  Mr.  Francis  is 
exactly  the  same  age  as  was  his  father  when  thirty  years  ago 
the  latter  was  appointed  by  President  Grant  to  the  same 
Ministry.  During  his  father's  three  years'  residence  at 
Athens  Mr.  Francis  served  as  his  secretary  and  thus  acquired 
a  knowledge  of  the  office  which  will  be  of  great  help  to  him 
in  his  new  capacity. 

Aside  from  this  Mr.  Francis  is  eminently  well  qualified  for 
the  position,  and  we  bespeak  for  him  the  same  success  as 
Minister  as  he  has  deservedly  met  with  throughout  his 
journalistic  career. 


ACTIVE     IN     UNIVERSITY 
ACTIVITIES. 

All  Cornellians  were  pleased  with  the  announcement  made 
just  before  Christmas  that  Colonel  Charles  S.  Francis,  '77, 
had  been  named  by  President  McKinley  as  United  States 
Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  Colonel  Francis 
will  proceed  at  once  to  Athens  and  assume  the  duties  of  his 
position.  In  this  connection  a  sketch  of  his  life  will  be  of 
interest. 

Charles  S.  Francis  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  his  present 
home.  He  entered  Cornell  with  the  class  of  '73,  having 
previously  learned  the  printer's  trade  in  the  office  of  The 
Troy  Daily  Times,  which  his  father,  John  M.  Francis,  had 
founded  in  1851. 

During  his  college  course  Mr.  Francis  was  very  prominent 
in  athletics,  and  it  was  at  this  time  that  boating  began  to 
interest  Cornellians.  He  rowed  on  his  class  and  college  crew 
and  was  several  times  the  champion  single  sculler  of  the 
University.  In  1876  Mr.  Francis  won  the  intercollegiate 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  59 

single-scull  championship  at  Saratoga,  establishing  the  world's 
intercollegiate  record  of  13  minutes  and  42  3-4  seconds  for 
two  miles,  which  still  stands  as  the  intercollegiate  record  for 
the  distance.  Since  graduation  Mr.  Francis  has  been  very 
active  in  assisting  rowing  at  Cornell.  He  distinguished 
himself  in  other  lines  of  University  activity,  being  a  member 
of  the  Glee  Club,  being  on  the  board  of  editors  of  the 
Cornellian,  University  champion  in  both  boxing  and  wrestling, 
and  a  member  of  the  'Varsity  track  team.  His  college  course 
was  interrupted  by  his  leaving  to  become  secretary  to  his 
father,  who  was  appointed  Minister  to  Greece  by  President 
Grant  just  thirty  years  ago. 

After  leaving  college  Mr.  Francis  began  his  career  as  a 
journalist  by  becoming  a  reporter  for  The  Troy  Daily  Times. 
He  advanced  rapidly  and  acquired  a  proprietary  interest  and 
the  managership  of  the  paper  in  1881.  In  1887  he  became  an 
equal  partner  with  his  father,  and  on  the  latter's  death  in  1897 
he  succeeded  to  the  editorship  and  sole  ownership  of  that 
paper. 

Mr.  Francis  served  for  eleven  years  on  the  staff  of  Major- 
General  Joseph  B.  Carr,  of  the  Third  Division  of  the  New 
York  State  National  Guard,  and  was  an  officer  on  the  staff 
of  Governor  Alonzo  B.  Cornell.  He  has  been  elected  an 
alumnus  trustee  of  the  University  for  two  successive  terms. 
Colonel  Francis  has  been  entirely  successful  in  his  work  and 
has  extended  and  enlarged  The  Times  until  he  has  made  it 
the  most  influential  paper  in  the  state  outside  of  New  York 
City. 

The  Times  has  always  been  a  strong  partisan  of  Protection 
and  sound  money,  and  has  secured  for  Mr.  Francis  an  extensive 
familiarity  with  public  affairs  and  a  wide  acquaintance 
among  the  prominent  Republicans  of  the  country.  Though  he 
has  always  actively  supported  the  Republican  party,  Mr. 
Francis  has  never  held  any  political  office,  but  his  training 
and  his  character  make  him  admirably  fitted  for  the  position. 

No  alumnus  is  better  known  to  Cornellians,  both  graduates 
and  undergraduates,  and  all  will  watch  his  ministerial  career 
with  interest  and  confidence  in  his  complete  success. 

AN     IDEAL     CHOICE. 

When  President  McKinley  selected  Charles  S.  Francis  for 
the  Greek  mission  he  did  not  appoint  a  new  or  untried  man. 
Mr.  Francis  is  not  a  recent  discovery.  He  has  been  one  of 
the  leading  citizens  of  the  state  too  long  to  be  rated  as  among 


CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 


the  hitherto  unknown.  From  his  college  days,  when  he  won 
fame  for  himself  and  for  Cornell  with  the  sculls,  to  the  present 
time,  Mr.  Francis  has  illustrated  the  virtues  of  the  best 
citizenship.  With  an  important  newspaper  in  his  father's 
family  and  the  younger  man  determined  to  succeed  the 
founder,  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  the  son  began  with  a 
mastery  of  the  printer's  trade,  and  thus  came  to  full  authority 
equipped  in  a  special  sense,  by  mental  and  mechanical 
training,  for  the  control  and  guidance  of  his  newspaper,  the 
Troy  Times. 

In  the  editorial  chair  Mr.  Francis  has  maintained,  and 
even  advanced,  the  reputation  of  The  Times  for  courage  and 
ability.  He  has  not  been  a  bolter  nor  yet  a  hide-bound 
partisan.  He  has  stood  always  for  good  causes,  such  as  a 
man  might  advocate  with  credit  to  his  ability  and  good 
sense.  He  is  finely  equipped  for  diplomatic  work  at  any 
court,  but  especially  the  Greek,  since  he  is  familiar  with  the 
language  of  the  people  to  whom  he  will  be  accredited,  through 
his  residence  in  Greece  as  secretary  to  his  father  when 
Minister  at  Athens.  The  congratulations  of  the  press  of 
the  country  will  be  extended  to  Mr.  Francis  with  an  especially 
cordial  feeling.  He  honors  his  profession  highly  and  is 
everywhere  held  in  honor  himself  for  his  shining  qualities 
of  mind  and  character.  The  President  has  made  an  ideal 
choice  of  a  new  Minister  for  Greece. 


A   MODEL    REPRESENTATIVE. 

(From  The  Poughkeepsie  Eagle,  December  20.) 
We  note  with  pleasure  the  honor  conferred,  mingled  with 
regret  that  his  presence  will  be  missed  among  the  editors 
here,  that  Charles  S.  Francis,  of  The  Troy  Times,  has  been 
appointed  United  States  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and 
Servia.  Mr.  Francis  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most 
liked  newspaper  men  in  this  state,  and  fully  deserves 
such  recognition.  What  gives  the  appointment  greater 
appropriateness,  also,  is  the  fact  that  just  thirty  years  ago 
his  father,  the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  was  appointed  by 
President  Grant  to  the  same  mission.  The  elder  Francis 
made  a  model  representative  of  American  interests  abroad, 
and  we  doubt  not  the  son  will  have  equal  success. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  61 

NEEDED    BY   CORNELL 
UNIVERSITY. 

(From  The  Ithaca  Journal,  December  19.) 
It  was  not  with  entire  satisfaction  that  we  published 
yesterday  the  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis  to  be  United 
States  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  The 
compliment  thus  paid  by  President  McKinley  to  Mr.  Francis 
is  a  fine  one,  and  deserved.  It  is  not  likely  that  the  President 
meant  it  as  a  compliment.  He  was  looking  for  the  right  man 
to  put  in  a  diplomatic  place  that  is  likely  at  any  time  to 
demand  more  than  usual  ability  and  sound  common  sense. 
He  found  him  in  Mr.  Francis,  and  all  of  the  friends  of  the 
gentleman  from  Troy,  and  they  are  very  many,  will  bear 
witness  to  Mr.  McKinley's  sound  judgment. 

We  take  it  for  granted  that  the  Senate  will  confirm  the 
appointment  and  we  fear  that  Mr.  Francis  will  accept.  It 
is  a  tempting  offer.  But  is  not  Mr.  Francis  needed  by  Cornell 
University  more  than  by  the  United  States  Government? 
Since  his  graduation  in  1877  he  has  taken  the  deepest  interest 
in  the  University.  Since  he  has  been  a  trustee  his  good 
judgment,  executive  ability  and  thorough  loyalty  to  his 
Alma  Mater  have  been  constantly  in  evidence.  What  he  has 
done  for  the  athletic  interests  here  is  pretty  well  known; 
but  what  he  has  done  in  a  less  public  way,  his  devotion 
of  time  and  strength,  his  enthusiastic  support  of  the 
administration,  his  broad-minded,  progressive  attitude  on  all 
questions  of  vital  importance,  his  influence  exerted  in  many 
effective  ways — these  are  not  so  well  known.  And  so  we  say 
the  University  needs  him.  But  this  is  perhaps  a  selfish  view 
to  take.  Surely  the  Government  needs  such  men. 

It  must  be  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  to  Mr.  Francis 
that  he  is  to  begin  his  diplomatic  career  as  did  his  honored 
father,  John  M.  Francis,  who  was  appointed  by  President 
Grant,  in  1871,  United  States  Minister  to  Greece.  Perhaps  he 
looks  forward  to  a  like  career  in  the  service  of  the 
Government,  and  hopes  in  time  to  serve  in  Portugal  and  in 
Austria-Hungary,  as  did  his  father.  He  is  certainly  following 
in  his  footsteps  by  making  his  newspaper,  The  Troy  Times, 
a  felt  power  in  the  city  where  it  is  published  and  in  the  state. 
But  whatever  be  his  ambitions  and  hopes  we  wish  for  Mr. 
Charles  S.  Francis  a  full  measure  of  enduring  success. 


62  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

A   WORTHY   SUCCESSOR. 

(From  The  Watertown  Times,  December  20.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times, 
has  been  nominated  by  President  McKinley  as  Minister  to 
Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  The  appointment  will  give 
general  satisfaction  to  newspaper  men,  who  have  every 
confidence  in  Mr.  Francis'  ability  to  honor  the  profession  and 
honor  his  nation  in  that  post.  Mr.  Francis  is  a  graduate  of 
Cornell  University,  and  after  his  graduation  entered  The  Troy 
Times  office,  of  which  his  father,  the  venerated  John  M. 
Francis,  was  proprietor,  and  worked  his  way  up  from  the 
lowest  round.  It  is  a  pleasant  coincidence  that  his  father, 
Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  the  founder  of  The  Troy  Times,  was 
made  Minister  to  Greece  by  President  Grant  in  1871  and  held 
the  office  for  three  years,  performing  its  duties  with  great 
credit.  His  son  has  kept  the  newspaper  up  to  the  ideals  of 
his  father  and  will  be  a  worthy  successor  to  him  in  this  office 
of  national  responsibility. 


A   POWER   FOR 
GOOD. 

(From  The  Hudson  Republican,  December  21.) 
President  McKinley  has  appointed  Charles  S.  Francis, 
editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  Minister  to  Greece. 
We  have  had  occasions  before  to  commend  the  selections  of 
the  President  but  never  with  more  pleasure  than  in  the 
present  instance.  Mr.  Francis  will  follow  in  the  footsteps 
of  his  father,  who  served  as  Minister  to  Greece,  Portugal  and 
Austria-Hungary.  He  himself  was  his  father's  secretary  at 
Athens,  where  he  laid  the  foundation  for  what  we  are  confident 
will  be  a  successful  mission. 

Mr.  Francis  has  made  his  paper  a  power  in  the  battle  for 
good  on  the  social  and  political  field.  He  will  ably  represent 
this  country,  and  The  Republican  as  it  extends  its  congratula 
tions  can  wish  Charles  S.  Francis  no  more  successful  mission 
than  it  does  by  expressing  the  hope  and  the  confidence  that 
he  will  equal  the  work  of  his  illustrious  father,  John  M. 
Francis. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  63 

YEARS    OF    VALUABLE 
SERVICE. 

(From  The  Hudson  Register,  December  20.) 
The  nomination  of  Charles  S.  Francis,  proprietor  and  editor 
of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  United  States  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia,  is  fitting  recognition  on  the  part  of 
President  McKinley  of  years  of  valuable  service  to  the 
Republican  party. 

Mr.  Francis  is  a  son  of  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  the 
founder  of  The  Times — probably  the  most  influential  of  all 
Republican  newspapers  in  Northern  New  York.  The  elder 
Francis,  it  will  be  recalled,  once  held  the  diplomatic  missions 
to  Greece,  Portugal  and  Austria-Hungary.  The  present 
appointee  was  secretary  to  his  father  during  the  residence  of 
the  latter  at  Athens.  He  was  a  member  of  the  military  staff 
of  Governor  Cornell,  and  for  eleven  years  served  on  the  staff 
of  Major  General  Carr,  Third  Division,  National  Guard. 

The  news  of  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Francis  will  be 
received  with  gratification  by  his  many  friends. 


STAUNCH    AND 
STALWART. 

(From  The  Ballston  Journal,  December  22.) 
We  extend  to  Col.  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  proprietor 
of  The  Troy  Times,  congratulations  on  Ids  appointment  to 
the  diplomatic  position  as  Minister  to  Greece,  Servia  and 
Roumania.  The  appointment  is  a  fitting  one,  as  Mr.  Francis, 
by  natural  ability  and  training  in  the  broad  field  of  journalism, 
is  eminently  qualified  to  fill  with  credit  to  his  country  and 
honor  to  himself  the  high  position  to  which  he  has  been  called 
by  President  McKinley.  The  fact  that  he  will  fill  a  position 
once  held  by  his  father,  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  will  add  largely 
to  the  pleasure  of  the  appointment,  and  his  previous  experience 
as  Secretary  of  the  Legation,  during  his  father's  term,  will  give 
him  the  added  pleasure  of  renewing  old  acquaintances,  if  not 
with  the  people  whom  he  then  knew,  at  least  with  the  scenes 
and  attractions  of  ancient  Athens,  The  appointment  is  a 
worthy  recognition  of  a  staunch  Republican  and  the  work  of 
a  stalwart  Republican  journal. 


64  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

A   LEADING   JOURNALIST. 

(From  The  Ogdensburg  Journal,  December  22.) 
President  McKinley  has  appointed  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor 
and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia.  Mr.  Francis  is  one  of  the  leading 
journalists  of  the  State  and  in  going  to  Greece  follows  in  the 
footsteps  of  his  honored  father,  the  late  John  M.  Francis, 
who  was  Minister  to  that  country  in  the  early  seventies.  In 
addition  to  the  training  received  in  journalism  and  politics, 
Mr.  Francis  is  fitted  for  the  post  by  previous  residence  in 
the  country,  having  been  Secretary  of  the  Legation  when  his 
father  was  Minister.  Both  were  very  popular  with  the 
Athenians  then,  and  the  younger  Francis  will  no  doubt  serve 
acceptably  both  to  his  home  government  and  that  to  which 
he  is  accredited.  The  Ministry  to  Servia  and  Roumania 
will  add  the  delights  of  travel  to  his  other  pleasant  duties. 


THE   PROFESSION   RICHLY 
HONORED. 

(From  The  Dansville  Advertiser,  December  20.) 
Charles  S.  Francis  of  The  Troy  Times  was  nominated  on 
Tuesday  by  the  President  as  Minister  to  Greece.  He  is  a 
son  of  the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  who  held  the  diplomatic 
missions  to  Greece,  Portugal  and  Austria-Hungary.  An 
admirable  nomination,  of  which  we  shall  have  more  to  say. 

(From  The  Dansville  Advertiser,  December  27.) 
The  Senate  on  Thursday,  December  20,  confirmed  the 
nomination  of  Col.  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  proprietor 
of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  It  is  a 
remarkable  coincidence  that  the  son,  succeeding  his  famous 
father,  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  as  editor  and  proprietor  of  The 
Troy  Times,  should  also  succeed  him  as  Minister  to  Greece. 
The  senior  Francis,  who  had  also  been  Minister  to  Portugal 
and  Austria-Hungary,  was  made  Minister  to  Greece  by 
President  Grant  in  1871,  and,  after  three  years  of  faithful 
service,  resigning  to  resume  active  journalistic  work,  which 
was  so  dear  to  his  heart  and  in  which  he  won  a  national 
reputation.  The  son,  like  the  father,  is  a  devoted  journalist, 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  65 


and  advanced  through  all  the  gradations  of  The  Times  office 
to  reach  the  top  by  individual  merit.  Mr.  Francis  is  a 
graduate  of  Cornell  University,  winning  fame  in  scholarship 
and  in  athletics,  and  is  an  alumnus  trustee  of  the  university. 
Active  and  prominent  in  military,  college,  business  and 
social  organizations,  as  well  as  in  newspaperdom,  Mr.  Francis 
is  admirably  fitted  for  the  exalted  position  in  which  he 
has  been  unanimously  confirmed.  His  newspaper  brethren 
throughout  the  country,  in  extending  their  sincere  and  hearty 
congratulations,  feel  that  their  profession  has  been  highly 
honored  by  this  elevation  of  Mr.  Francis. 


ENTIRELY    GRATIFYING. 

(From  The  Amsterdam  Democrat,  December  19.) 
The  President's  nomination  of  Editor  Charles  S.  Francis 
to  be  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  will  be 
entirely  gratifying  to  the  editorial  fraternity  of  the  state  and 
to  his  multitude  of  friends  in  other  interests  of  life.  The 
father  of  Mr.  Francis,  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  gave  most 
honorable  service  to  his  country  as  Minister  to  Greece,  to 
Portugal,  and  later  as  Minister  to  Austria,  altogether  passing 
a  number  of  years  in  those  countries.  During  his  residence 
at  Athens,  his  son,  Mr.  Charles  S.,  had  three  years  of 
diplomatic  experience  in  the  important  position  of  Secretary 
of  the  United  States  Legation.  Mr.  Francis,  therefore,  takes 
up  the  responsibilities  of  United  States  Minister  to  that 
interesting  country  with  such  advantage  as  no  stranger  to  it 
could  command. 


WELL    FITTED    FOR    THE 
DUTIES. 

(From  The  Auburn  Advertiser,  December  19.) 
President  McKinley  has  nominated  Charles  S.  Francis  to 
be  Minister  to  Greece.  Mr.  Francis  is  the  editor  and 
proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  and  his  father  before  him  was 
a  Minister  to  Greece  many  years.  Mr.  Francis  has  spent 
much  of  his  time  there  and  he  is  well  fitted  for  the  duties  of 
the  office. 


66  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

A   THOROUGH 
AMERICAN. 

(From  The  Newburgh  Journal,  December  19.) 
On  Tuesday  the  President  sent  to  the  senate  the  nomination 
of  Colonel  Charles  S.  Francis  of  Troy  to  be  Minister  to 
Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  Colonel  Francis  is  the  well 
known  editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  a  widely 
influential  newspaper  established  by  his  father,  the  late  John 
M.  Francis.  It  is  noteworthy  that  the  father  was  appointed 
in  1871  by  President  Grant  to  the  same  office  which  his  son 
is  now  chosen  by  President  McKinley  to  fill.  During  the 
three  years'  residence  of  the  Hon.  J.  M.  Francis  at  Athens 
the  son  acted  as  his  secretary,  and  therefore  will  be  no 
stranger  to  the  duties  of  Minister.  By  character,  education, 
business  training  and  knowledge  of  public  affairs  he  is  well 
qualified  for  the  place  and  will  perform  its  work  in  a  manner 
creditable  to  himself  and  his  country.  Colonel  Francis  is  a 
thorough  American  and  will  carry  American  ideas  to  the 
capital  of  Greece. 


THE   PRESS    HONORED. 

(From  The  Fort  Edward  Advertiser,  December  20.) 
Colonel  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  proprietor  of  The 
Troy  Times,  has  been  appointed  by  President  McKinley  to  be 
Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia.  The  press  of  New  York  is  honored 
by  this  selection. 


AN   EDITOR   WELL 
KNOWN. 

(From  The  Geneva  Gazette,  December  21.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  Esq.,  the  genial  editor  of  The  Troy 
Times,  has  been  appointed  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and 
Servia.  His  father  was  a  distinguished  diplomat  under  the 
Grant  administration.  The  former  is  well-known  in  the  field 
of  sports  as  in  the  ranks  of  journalism. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  67 

FOR    McKINLEY    IN 
1896. 

(From  The  Utica  Globe,  December  22.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  a  prominent  Troy  journalist,  was  recently 
nominated  by  President  McKinley  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary 
and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece.  Mr.  Francis  is  a  son 
of  John  M.  Francis,  founder  of  The  Troy  Times,  and  who  was 
Minister  to  Greece  under  President  Grant.  The  Troy  Times 
has  been  one  of  the  best-known  Republican  newspapers  in 
New  York  State,  and  it  was  one  of  the  first  to  advocate 
the  nomination  of  McKinley  for  President  in  1896. 


THE    BEST    OF 
TRAINING. 

(From  The  Gloversville  Herald,  December  19.) 
An  honor  worthily  bestowed  is  the  nomination  of  Charles 
S.  Francis  of  The  Troy  Times  to  be  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia.  Mr.  Francis  is  the  editor  of  one  of  the 
ablest  newspapers  in  the  country  and  the  son  of  one  of  the 
most  accomplished  diplomatists  this  state  has  contributed  to 
public  life  in  many  years.  He  has  had  the  best  of  training 
for  the  service  he  is  about  to  enter,  and  his  friends  of  the 
newspaper  press,  with  whom  he  has  a  large  acquaintance,  will 
vote  unanimously  for  his  confirmation. 


WILL    HONOR   THE 
POSITION. 

(From  The  Herkimer  and  Ilion  Citizen,  December  25.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  of  The  Troy  Times,  has  been 
appointed  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  an 
honorable  position  once  held  by  his  distinguished  father, 
the  late  John  M.  Francis.  Charles  S.  is  the  likely  son  of  a 
mighty  father  and  will  honor  the  position.  Congratulations 
from  the  newspaper  fraternity  will  be  cordially  extended. 


68  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 


AN    ABLE    NEWSPAPER 

MAN. 

(From  The  Lansingburgh  Times,  December  22.) 
The  appointment  by  President  McKinley  of  Charles  S. 
Francis,  publisher  of  The  Troy  Times,  as  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia,  is  a  source  of  much  congratulation 
among  Mr.  Francis'  numerous  friends  in  Lansingburgh. 
Colonel  Francis  is  an  able  newspaper  man  and  President 
McKinley  in  his  appointment  has  recognized  fitness  and  merit. 
Colonel  Francis'  father,  the  late  Hon.  J.  M.  Francis,  held  this 
post  for  several  years,  with  honor  to  himself  and  credit  to 
the  country. 


GRATIFYING    NEWS. 

(From  The  Johnstown  Republican,  December  18.) 
The  Republican's  telegraphic  dispatches  to-day  carry  the 
news  of  the  nomination  by  President  McKinley  of  Charles  S. 
Francis,  editor  of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia.  This  honor  to  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  editors  of  the  state  will  be  gratifying  news 
to  his  hosts  of  journalistic  friends,  far  and  near.  It  is 
fitting  recognition  of  long  and  faithful  service  in  behalf  of 
the  Republican  party  of  the  state,  and  the  Republican  extends 
congratulations. 


AN    EXCEPTIONAL 
HONOR. 

(From  The  Cambridge  Post,  December  21.) 
The  nomination  by  President  McKinley  of  Charles  S.  Francis 
to  be  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia  is  a  fitting 
tribute  to  the  service  of  The  Times  and  its  editor,  and  it  is 
an  exceptional  honor  because  it  carries  the  mark  of  heredity. 
Thirty  years  ago  his  father,  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  served 
in  this  capacity,  and  resided  at  Athens.  Mr.  Francis  was  for 
a  few  years  the  secretary  of  the  legation,  and  will,  no  uoubt, 
find  it  a  great  pleasure  to  return  to  that  interesting  city  and 
renew  some  of  the  acquaintances  of  those  earlier  years. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  69 


DISTINGUISHED    AND 
FAITHFUL. 

(From  The  Sandy  Hill  Herald,  December  20.) 
The  nomination  of  Col.  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and 
proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  for  Envoy  Extraordinary  and 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  has 
been  sent  to  the  Senate  by  President  McKinley.  No  better 
selection  could  be  made  for  this  desirable  post,  and  we 
offer  heartiest  congratulations  to  the  genial  and  talented 
gentleman  of  The  Times.  The  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis, 
father  of  Colonel  Francis,  represented  his  country  in  a  similar 
capacity  in  1871,  having  been  appointed  Minister  to  Greece. 
The  Colonel  is  in  every  way  admirably  fitted  to  perform  the 
duties  of  this  important  office,  and  we  rejoice  that  the 
government  has  thus  honored  a  faithful  and  distinguished 
member  of  the  profession. 


PERSONAL    FRIENDSHIP. 

(From  The  Port  Jefferson  Echo,  December  22.) 
The    publisher    of    The    Echo    has    enjoyed    Mr.    Francis' 
personal  friendship  for  many  years  and  offers  his  congratula 
tions  to  this  fitting  appointment. 


HEARD    WITH 
PLEASURE. 

(From  The  Nunda  News,  December  29.) 
The  appointment  of  Chas.  S.  Francis,  of  The  Troy  Daily 
Times,  to  be  Minister  to  Greece,  is  heard  with  pleasure  by 
all  the  members  of  the  Republican  State  Editorial  Association, 
who  have  often  met  him  and  known  of  his  ability  and  many 
accomplishments.  He  served  as  private  secretary  to  his 
father,  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  when  he  held  the  same 
position,  and  is  therefore  somewhat  familiar  with  the  duties 
of  the  office.  The  President  has  made  an  excellent  and  fitting 
choice,  and  the  newspaper  fraternity  of  the  state  feel  honored 
in  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Francis. 


70  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

ABILITIES    OF    HIGH 
ORDER. 

(From  The  Rensselaer  Star-Eagle,  December  22.) 

By  the  appointment  of  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  of 
The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  President  McKinley  has  bestowed 
the  honor  upon  a  gentleman  who  will  wear  it  with  credit 
to  the  administration  which  named  him  and  with  honor  to 
the  nation  he  will  represent. 

Mr.  Francis  is  the  son  of  the  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  who 
held  the  diplomatic  mission  to  Greece,  Portugal  and  Austria- 
Hungary.  During  his  father's  residence  at  Athens,  Mr.  Francis 
was  his  secretary.  He  is  therefore  somewhat  familiar  with 
the  important  duties  of  the  position,  and  he  possesses 
abilities  of  high  order  which  will  rapidly  develop  in  the  new 
field  to  which  he  has  been  called. 

The  appointment  will  be  most  heartily  approved  by  the 
Republican  party  of  the  State,  and  it  is  especially  gratifying 
to  the  Republicans  of  this  county,  where  Mr.  Francis  is  so 
well  known  and  where  he  has  continued  and  even  improved 
the  great  and  influential  newspaper  which  his  father  founded 
half  a  century  ago. 

The  Star-Eagle  takes  great  pleasure  in  congratulating  Mr. 
Francis  upon  his  entrance  into  the  diplomatic  service  of  his 
country,  and  we  confidently  predict  for  him  a  proud  and 
honorable  career. 


WIDE    FAMILIARITY 
WITH   AFFAIRS. 

(From  The  Malone  Farmer,  December  26.) 
President  McKinley  has  appointed  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis 
of  Troy,  editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  Minister 
to  Greece.  The  appointment  is  an  admirable  one.  Mr.  Francis 
has  had  a  wide  familiarity  with  public  affairs.  It  ought  also 
to  be  a  very  acceptable  one  for  him,  as  his  honored  father, 
the  founder  of  his  paper,  was  appointed  to  the  same  mission 
by  President  Grant  just  thirty  years  ago  and  made  a  successful 
record  both  here  and  as  Minister  to  Portugal  and  Austria- 
Hungary.  The  present  appointee  acted  as  his  father's 
secretary  during  his  three  years'  residence  in  Greece. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  71 

FATHER    AND    SON. 

(From  The  Granville  Sentinel,  December  21.) 
The  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and 
proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  as  United  States  Minister 
to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  just  announced  from 
Washington,  will  give  the  greatest  satisfaction  not  only  to 
the  Republicans  of  this  state  but  to  the  newspaper  fraternity 
generally.  Mr.  Francis  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most 
popular  journalists  in  the  state,  and  his  friends  and  admirers 
are  without  number.  Inheriting  the  control  of  The  Troy 
Times  from  that  master  of  newspaper  management,  his 
father,  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  he  has  made  the  paper  still 
better  and  stronger,  if  possible,  while  adhering  closely  to  all 
the  rules  of  action  which  the  elder  Francis  established. 

John  M.  Francis  thirty  years  ago  held  the  same  post  to 
which  his  son  is  now  to  be  accredited,  and  Charles  S.  served 
as  his  secretary.  The  new  diplomat  is  therefore  no  stranger 
to  Athens — in  fact,  will  be  thoroughly  at  home  there. 
Moreover,  he  has  the  training,  knowledge  and  character  that 
fit  him  admirably  for  the  duties  that  will  devolve  upon  him, 
and  he  will  be  a  worthy  successor  to  his  father  as  a  Minister, 
as  he  has  splendidly  emulated  his  example  in  newspaper 
work.  And  this  will  be  the  highest  praise,  in  "Charlie" 
Francis'  estimation,  that  anyone  can  give  him,  for  to  follow  in 
the  footsteps  of  his  father  and  along  the  same  line  of 
conduct  is  his  supreme  ambition. 

The  Sentinel  most  heartily  congratulates  not  only  Mr. 
Francis  but  the  United  States  government  on  this  excellent 
appointment,  and  is  sure  that  it  will  be  a  conspicuous  case 
of  "like  father  like  son." 


HIGH    AND    DESERVED 
HONOR. 

(From  The  Cohoes  Dispatch,  December  19.) 
The  newspaper  fraternity,  in  which  Mr.  Francis  has  a  wide 
acquaintance,  and  many  warm  personal  friends  will  be  greatly 
pleased  to  hear  of  the  high  and  deserved  honor  that  has  been 
conferred  upon  him,  and  they  will  commend  the  selection 
of  President  McKinley  for  this  responsible  and  honorable 
post. 


72  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

ABLE   AND    EFFICIENT 
SERVICE. 

(From  The  Greenwich  Journal,  December  26.) 
The  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and 
proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  to  the  position  of  Minister 
to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  was  sent  to  the  Senate  by 
President  McKinley  last  week.  Mr.  Francis  is  to  be 
congratulated  upon  this  deserved  recognition.  His  father, 
Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  held  the  same  post  about  thirty  years 
ago  and  his  son  then  acted  as  his  secretary.  This  experience 
will  be  of  great  value  to  Mr.  Francis,  who  is  sure  to  render 
able  and  efficient  service  as  our  representative  in  Athens. 


HEARTY    CONGRATULATIONS. 

(From  The  Norwich  Telegraph,  December  22.) 
The  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  of  The  Troy  Times,  has 
been  appointed  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia. 
He  will  receive  the  hearty  congratulations  of  his  brothers  of 
the  newspaper  fraternity,  providing  the  job  is  one  to  his 
liking. 


FITTED    IN    EVERY 
WAY. 

(From  The  Rensselaer  County  Standard,  December  21.) 

Charles  S.  Francis,  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  has  been 
appointed  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary 
to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  His  father,  Hon.  John  M. 
Francis,  held  three  diplomatic  missions — to  Greece,  to 
Portugal  and  to  Austria-Hungary.  Just  thirty  years  have 
elapsed  since  President  Grant  appointed  Mr.  Francis'  father 
Minister  to  Greece.  In  every  way  Mr.  Francis  is  fitted  for 
the  high  and  honorable  position  President  McKinley  has 
selected  him  to  occupy.  In  making  this  appointment  the 
President  has  honored  Mr.  Francis,  Troy  and  Rensselaer 
County. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  73 

MARKED   ABILITY. 

(From  The  Steuben  Advocate,  December  26.) 
President  McKinley  has  appointed  Charles  S.  Francis  of 
The  Troy  Daily  Times  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary  and 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia. 
The  appointment  is  a  fitting  one,  as  he  is  a  man  of  marked 
ability  and  accomplishments.  His  father,  the  late  John  M. 
Francis,  was  a  distinguished  diplomat  under  the  Grant 
administration.  Mr.  Francis  is  fitted  for  the  position,  having 
served  as  private  secretary  to  his  father  while  he  was 
Minister  to  Greece.  Mr.  Francis  has  many  friends  in  this 
section  of  Steuben  county  who  will  be  glad  to  learn  of  his 
being  honored  by  this  appointment.  The  Advocate  office 
congratulates  Mr.  Francis,  with  the  hope  that  he  may  have 
an  enjoyable  and  successful  representative  term  at  Athens, 
the  great  art  city  of  Greece. 


HANDSOMELY   RECOGNIZED. 

(From  The  Newburgh  News,  December  19.) 
C.  S.  Francis  of  Troy  has  been  handsomely  recognized  by 
the  Administration  in  being  appointed  Minister  to  Greece. 
The  father  of  Mr.  Francis   was  for  a  long  period  Minister  to 
Austria. 


WORTHILY    BESTOWED. 

(From  The  Seneca  Falls  Reveille,  December  21.) 
The  President  has  appointed  Charles  S.  Francis  of  The 
Troy  Daily  Times  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  to  Greece.  That  is  a  big  sounding  title,  but 
it  is  worthily  bestowed  in  this  case.  Mr.  Francis  is  a  young- 
man  of  marked  ability  and  many  accomplishments.  He  has 
some  knowledge  of  the  duties  of  the  position,  having  served 
as  private  secretary  to  his  father,  the  late  John  M.  Francis, 
while  he  was  Minister  to  Greece.  The  newspaper  fraternity 
of  the  State,  who  know  Mr.  Francis  so  well,  will  congratulate 
him  upon  his  appointment. 


74  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 


AN    EDITOR    HONORED. 

(From  The  Warrensburgh  News,  December  20.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times, 
has  been  appointed  by  President  McKinley  to  be  Envoy 
Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia.  The  post  is  an  important  and  desirable 
one,  and  Mr.  Francis  and  The  Times  are  to  be  congratulated 
upon  the  honor  conferred.  It  is  a  remarkable  coincidence 
that  the  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  the  founder  of  The  Troy 
Times,  should  have  held  the  same  office  which  his  son  has 
now  been  called  to  fill.  The  senior  Francis  was  made  Minister 
to  Greece  by  President  Grant  in  1871  and  held  the  office  for 
three  years,  resigning  in  order  to  return  to  active  journalistic 
work. 


NEWSPAPER   MEN 
GLAD. 

(From  The  Canandaigua  Times,  December  19.) 
Newspaper  men  the  State  over  are  glad  to  hear  of  the 
appointment  by  President  McKinley  of  Charles  S.  Francis 
of  Trov  to  be  United  States  Minister  to  Greece.  Mr.  Francis 
is  the  editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  and  is  the 
son  of  the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  who  was  at  one  time 
a  resident  of  Prattsburg,  and  had  relatives  in  this  county. 


EARNEST   CONGRATULATIONS. 

(From  The  Seneca  County  News,  December  25.) 
The  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  owner 
of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and 
Servia — a  post  once  occupied  with  distinction  by  his  father, 
the  late  John  M.  Francis — will  heartily  be  commended  by 
the  newspaper  fraternity  of  New  York  State.  Mr.  Francis 
is  well  fitted  for  the  place,  and  we  earnestly  congratulate 
him. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  75 

A    CREDITABLE 
RECORD. 

(From  The  Plattsburgh  Press,  December  21.) 
Congratulations  are  extended  to  Col.  Charles  S.  Francis  of 
The  Troy  Times  on  his  appointment  as  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia.  The  appointment  is  an  excellent  one. 
Colonel  Francis'  father,  the  late  John  M.  Francis,  filled  the 
office  in  a  most  creditable  manner,  reflecting  honor  on  his 
country  and  himself.  Colonel  Francis  will  make  an  equally 
creditable  record. 


FILIAL   FIDELITY. 

(From  The  Corning  Democrat,  December  19.) 
Yesterday  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis  of  The  Troy  Daily 
Times  was  appointed  by  the  President  Minister  to  Greece. 
Mr.  Francis  has  many  friends  and  relatives  in  northern 
Steuben  who  will  be  interested  in  this  announcement.  His 
father,  the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  was  a  resident  of 
Prattsburg  before  his  removal  to  Troy  and  establishment  of 
The  Times,  and  the  younger  Francis  visits  the  old  scenes  in 
Steuben  once  or  twice  a  year.  The  elder  Francis  was 
appointed  to  the  same  position  when  he  was  the  same  years 
as  his  son.  He  appears  to  an  "illustrious  son  of  a  noble  sire." 


HONORS   AND 
DIGNITY. 

(From  The  Hornellsville  Tribune,  December  19.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  of  Tne  Troy  Times,  who  has  been  named 
by  President  McKinley  as  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  receives  a  deserved  honor  as  a  son 
of  a  distinguished  sire.  The  elder  Francis  distinguished 
himself  in  that  position,  and  the  son  is  equally  capable.  We 
trust  that  he  may  enjoy  the  honors  and  dignity  of  the 
exalted  position  in  the  land  of  mythology,  fact  and  fable. 


CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 


STATE    AND    PRESS 
HONORED. 

(From  The  Hornellsville  Times,  December  20.) 
New  York  State  and  generally  the  newspaper  press  are 
honored  in  the  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis  of  The 
Troy  Times  to  be  Minister  to  Greece.  The  father  of  Mr. 
Francis,  who,  by  the  way,  was  once  a  resident  of  Prattsburgli 
in  this  county,  held  the  same  diplomatic  position  under  the 
administration  of  President  Grant. 


THOROUGHLY    EQUIPPED. 

(From  The   Valatie  Rough  Notes,  December   21.) 
Editor  Charles   S.  Francis  of  The  Troy  Times  has  been 
appointed  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary 
to  Greece,  an  office  once  held  by  his  father.     He  is  thoroughly 
equipped  for  the  place.    It  is  an  excellent  appointment. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  77 


FROM     OTHER    STATES. 


The  press  of  other  states  have  had  many  appreciative 
references  to  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Francis  to  represent 
the  United  States  in  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  The 
following  extracts  illustrate  the  spirit  of  the  articles: 


AN    UNPRECEDENTED    HONOR. 

(From  The  Scranton,  Pa.,  Tribune,  December  20.) 
An  executive  nomination  peculiarly  agreeable  to  the 
newspaper  fraternity  has  just  been  made  in  the  appointment 
of  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Troy,  N.  Y., 
Times,  as  United  States  Minister  to  Greece.  Roumania  and 
Servia.  Twenty-nine  years  ago  President  Grant  conferred 
the  same  honor  upon  Mr.  Francis'  father,  the  late  John  M. 
Francis,  founder  and  for  well-nigh  half  a  century  editor  of 
The  Troy  Times.  The  senior  Francis,  who  afterwards  served 
his  country  with  distinguished  ability  as  Minister  to  Portugal 
and  later  as  Minister  to  Austria,  took  with  him  to  Athens  to 
serve  as  his  secretary  the  son,  who  now  is  to  return  to  the 
court  of  Greece  in  the  capacity  which  his  father  fulfilled 
nearly  a  generation  earlier.  This  double  honor  is  without 
precedent  in  the  American  diplomatic  service,  but  that  it  is 
thoroughly  deserved,  both  by  the  personal  merit  of  the  two 
recipients  and  by  the  influential  and  progressive  journal  which 
they  each  in  turn  have  owned  and  directed  with  such 
conspicuous  ability  and  success,  will  be  freely  conceded  by 
all  who  are  familiar  with  the  facts.  The  new  Minister  to 
Greece  is  a  man  of  exceptional  energy,  influence  and  public 
spirit.  Whatever  he  undertakes  he  carries  through,  and 
pauses  only  when  its  success  is  established  commaudingly. 
He  will  make  an  indefatigable  representative  of  American 
interests  in  the  countries  to  which  he  is  accredited,  and  it  is 
safe  to  predict  that  this  mission  will  be  only  the  beginning 
of  a  series  of  assignments,  each  representing  a  well-won 
advance  in  honor  and  responsibility  upon  its  predecessor. 


78  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

ONE    OF   THE    BEST 
PRODUCTS. 

(From  The  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Press,  December  21.) 
The  nomination  of  Mr.  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  of  the 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  "Times,"  as  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and 
Servia,  which  President  McKinley  sent  to  the  Senate  on 
Tuesday,  will  be  recognized  as  one  of  the  fittest  foreign 
appointments  the  present  administration  has  made.  Mr. 
Francis  is  one  of  the  best  products  of  journalism.  He  was 
born  into  the  profession,  and  succeeded  to  the  editorship  of 
the  paper  founded  by  his  father  at  the  death  of  the  latter  a 
few  years  ago.  He  was  graduated  from  Cornell  University 
and  has  been  one  of  the  most  earnest  supporters  of 
intercollegiate  athletics  among  the  alumni  of  that  University. 
It  is  a  singular  coincidence  that  Mr.  Francis'  father,  the  late 
John  M.  Francis,  was  appointed  to  the  Greek  Embassy  by 
President  Grant  in  1871  and  filled  that  post  for  several  years. 
The  son  will  undoubtedly  reflect  as  much  honor  on  the 
position  as  his  father  did  a  generation  ago. 


NOTED    FOR    HIS    INTEREST  IN 
AQUATICS. 

(From  The  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Ledger,  December  19.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  appointed  Minister  to  Greece  to-day, 
will  fill  the  position  long  held  by  his  father,  the  late  John 
M.  Francis.  The  son  having  succeeded  his  father  as  editor 
of  The  Troy  Times,  is  now  to  succeed  him  as  Minister.  He 
is  a  graduate  of  Cornell,  and  is  noted  for  the  interest  he  has 
long  taken  in  aquatics.  When  an  undergraduate  at  Cornell 
he  won  the  single  scull  championship  in  the  intercollegiate 
regatta. 


A    TRAINED   JOURNALIST. 

(From  The  Boston,  Mass.,  Herald,  December  20.) 
Editor  Francis   of   The   Troy   Times,   who   has   just   been 
appointed    Minister    to    Greece,    is    a    thoroughly    trained 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  79 

journalist,  if  there  ever  was  one.  He  has  been  compositor, 
pressman,  stereotyper,  reporter,  city  editor,  managing  editor 
and  business  manager  of  the  newspaper  which  his  father 
established  fifty  years  ago.  It  is  a  rather  interesting 
circumstance  that  his  father  was  just  thirty  years  ago 
appointed  by  President  Grant  to  the  same  mission  to  which 
the  son  has  now  been  appointed. 


AN    ORIGINAL    McKINLEY 

MAN. 

(From  The  Springfield,  Mass.,  Republican,  December  20.) 
The  new  Minister  to  Greece,  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor 
and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  is  going  to  a  country 
which  he  already  knows  something  about  by  his  three-years' 
residence  in  Athens  as  his  father's  private  secretary,  when 
John  M.  Francis  held  the  place  of  Minister  by  President 
Grant's  appointment  thirty  years  ago.  Mr.  Francis  was  then 
a  mere  youth;  afterwards  he  became  a  noted  oarsman  at 
Cornell,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1877,  and  he  succeeded 
his  father  in  ownership  and  control  of  The  Troy  Times. 
Moreover,  he  was  one  of  the  original  McKinley  men  in  1896. 
and  at  length  has  his  reward. 


A    POPULAR   APPOINTMENT. 

(From  The  Washington,  D.  C.,  Post,  December  29.) 
"I  was  at  the  State  Department  to-day  to  get  my  commission 
as  envoy  to  Greece,  Roumania,  and  Servia,  and  was  quite 
surprised  to  find  that  many  of  the  officials  there  knew  my 
father,  who  served  in  the  same  position  thirty  years  ago," 
said  Mr.  Charles  S.  Francis,  proprietor  of  The  Troy,  N.  Y., 
Times,  last  evening  at  the  Raleigh.  "I  have  little  ambition 
to  hold  public  office  further  than  the  sentiment  that  attaches 
to  occupying  the  same  position  in  the  public  service  that 
my  father  had  before  me.  I  was  with  him  in  Europe  during 
his  diplomatic  service  as  his  secretary." 

Mr,  Francis  has  been  an  active  factor  in  New  York  politics, 
and  his  appointment  is  a  popular  one  in  the  Empire  State. 


80  CHARLES   S.  FRANCIS 


A    GOOD    ONE. 

(From  The  Adams,  Mass.,  Freeman,  December  20.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  of  The  Troy  Times,  has  been 
nominated  as  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia.  The 
appointment  is  a  good  one  and  somewhat  peculiar  in  that 
Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  father  of  the  new  appointee,  held  the 
same  position  in  1871. 


UNDER    GRANT'S   ADMINISTRATION. 

(From  The  Boston,  Mass.,  Journal,  December  28.) 
Charles  Spencer  Francis,  editor  of  The  Troy  Times,  will 
sail  within  a  few  days  for  Athens,  having  been  appointed 
Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia,  Mr.  Francis  was  graduated  from 
Cornell  in  1877,  and  in  his  senior  year  won  the  single  scull 
championship  in  the  intercollegiate  regatta.  His  father, 
John  M.  Francis,  founder  of  The  Troy  Times,  was  Minister 
to  Greece  under  President  Grant's  Administration. 


WHAT    OTHERS   SAY    ABOUT    IT. 

(From  The  Bennington,  Vt,  Banner,  December  21.) 
President  McKinley  sent  to  the  United  States  Senate  on 
Tuesday  the  nomination  of  Charles  S.  Francis,  of  Troy,  N.  Y., 
editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  to  be  Envoy 
Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia.  It  is  a  remarkable  coincidence  that 
Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  the  founder  of  The  Troy  Times,  should 
have  held  the  same  office  which  his  son  has  now  been  called 
to  fill.  The  senior  Francis  was  made  Minister  to  Greece  by 
President  Grant  in  1871,  and  held  the  office  for  three  years, 
resigning  in  order  to  return  to  active  journalistic  work. 
Charles  S.  Francis  has  been  associated  with  The  Troy  Times 
from  early  boyhood.  While  preparing  for  college,  he  served 
as  an  apprentice  in  the  composing  room  of  that  newspaper, 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  81 


learning  the  mechanical  details  and  fitting  himself  for  the 
more  arduous  responsibilities  the  future  was  to  bring.  After 
graduating  from  Cornell  University,  he  entered  the  local 
department  of  The  Times,  being  first  a  reporter  and 
afterwards  city  editor.  Still  later  he  was  the  business 
manager,  and  for  many  years  before  the  death  of  his  father, 
Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  June  18,  1897,  was  an  equal  partner 
with  him  in  The  Times  proprietorship  and  in  full  executive 
control  of  The  Times  and  The  Times  establishment.  Since 
the  demise  of  his  father,  Mr.  Francis  has  been  editor  and 
sole  owner  of  The  Times.  It  is  in  order  to  add  that  nowhere 
is  Charles  S.  Francis  esteemed  more  highly  than  in  The  Troy 
Times  family,  of  which  he  is  the  directing  head  and  master 
mind.  From  none  will  come  to  him  heartier  or  more  sincere 
congratulations  than  those  extended  by  his  co-workers  and 
associates  on  the  newspaper,  which  include  men  who  have 
known  him  from  his  childhood,  and  whose  affection  and  good 
will  for  him  have  been  strengthened  by  years  of  intimate 
relationship  into  a  regard  which  cannot  be  surpassed.  We 
have  copied  the  above  largely  from  The  Times — an  article 
written  by  the  office  corps  in  the  absence  of  Mr.  Francis — for 
the  purpose  of  congratulating  our  brother  editor  on  both  his 
appointment  and  what  others  say  about  it. 


CLEAN   JOURNALISM. 

(From  The  St.  Albans,  Vt,  Messenger,  December  20.) 
The  choice  of  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  of  The  Troy  Times, 
for  Minister  to  Greece.  Roumania  and  Servia,  is  a  well 
deserved  recognition  of  a  representative  Eastern  newspaper 
man.  The  Troy  Times  has  long  been  an  example  to  the  craft 
as  a  clean,  wholesome  family  newspaper,  a  journal  whose 
business  instincts  kept  it  abreast  of  the  progress  of  the 
times  but  never  betrayed  it  into  the  slightest  suspicion  of 
a  resort  to  sensationalism.  Its  editorial  utterances  have 
a  weight  and  influence  that  can  only  emanate  from  a  lofty 
conception  of  public  affairs  combined  with  this  same  policy 
of  clean  journalism.  For  this  great  newspaper  success,  the 
father  of  Mr.  Francis  and  the  deserving  son  himself  are 
responsible.  The  newspaper  fraternity  is  honored  by  the 
President's  selection  of  such  a  man  from  its  ranks. 


82  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

AN    HONORABLE   AND    IMPORTANT 
MISSION. 

(From  The  Providence,  R.  I.,  News,  December  20.) 
Commenting  on  the  nomination  of  Col.  Charles  S.  Francis, 
editor  of  The  Troy  Times,  as  Minister  to  Greece,  the  New 
York  Mail  and  Express  says  it  is  one  of  the  happiest  of 
the  President's  diplomatic  appointments.  Colonel  Francis  is 
admirably  qualified  for  the  duties  of  this  honorable  and 
important  mission.  His  intellectual  attainments  are  of  the 
highest  order,  he  possesses  the  character  and  temperament 
required  in  the  diplomatic  service,  and  in  addition  to  this 
equipment,  he  enjoys  the  advantage  of  a  liberal  acquaintance 
with  Greek  affairs,  having  served  as  secretary  to  his  father, 
the  late  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  during  the  latter's  term  as 
Minister  to  Greece  thirty  years  ago. 


BRAWN   AND    BRAIN. 

(From  The  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  Register,  March  8.) 
Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis,  the  new  United  States  Minister 
to  Greece,  has  brawn  as  well  as  brain — a  good  combination. 
When  he  was  a  senior  at  Cornell  he  ranked  near  the  head  of 
his  class,  and  won  the  single  scull  championship  in  the 
intercollegiate  regatta. 


MOST    PROMINENT   REPRESENTATIVE. 

(From  The  Chicago,  111.,  Tribune,  December  18.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  who  to-day  was  nominated  Minister 
to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y., 
where  he  now  resides.  He  is  the  son  of  the  late  John  M. 
Francis,  who  founded  The  Troy  Daily  Times  and  who  held 
diplomatic  missions  to  Greece,  Portugal  and  Austria-Hungary 
during  his  life.  Mr.  Francis  was  graduated  from  Cornell 
University  in  1877. 

As  a  student  and  as  an  alumnus  Mr.  Francis  has  been  the 
most  prominent  representative  of  Cornell  University  in  rowing 
and  boating.  While  at  college  he  repeatedly  won  the  single 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  83 

scull  championship  of  the  university,  and  in  1876  he  won  the 
intercollegiate  single  scull  championship  on  Saratoga  Lake. 
Mr.  Francis  learned  the  printer's  trade  at  the  case  in 
the  composing-rooms  of  his  father's  newspaper.  He  was 
successively  a  reporter,  city  editor,  and  manager  of  The 
Troy  Times,  in  1881  acquiring  a  proprietary  interest. 

It  is  a  remarkable  coincidence  that  John  M.  Francis,  the 
founder  of  The  Troy  Times,  should  have  held  the  same  office 
which  his  son  has  now  been  called  to  fill.  The  senior  Francis 
was  made  Minister  to  Greece  in  1871  by  President  Grant  and 
held  the  office  for  three  years,  resigning  to  return  to  active 
newspaper  work.  The  son,  succeeding  the  father  as  editor 
and  proprietor  of  The  Times,  is  now  chosen  to  occupy  the 
same  post. 


A    REPUBLICAN    EDITOR. 

(From  The  Cleveland,  Ohio,  Plaindealer,  December  19.) 
Charles  S.  Francis,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  whose  father  was 
Minister  to  Austria,  was  nominated  to-day  to  fill  the  vacancy 
caused  by  Mr.  Hardy's  transfer.  Mr.  Francis  belongs  to 
"the  Black  wing"  of  the  Republican  party,  and  is  editor  of 
a  Republican  newspaper  in  Troy. 


THE    PUNGENT    PARAGRAPH. 

(From  The  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  Times,  December  19.) 
Another   editor    (Francis   of   The   Troy   Times)    has    been 
affixed  to  the  diplomatic  corps,  and  Greece,  Roumania  and 
Servia  can  learn  the  uses  of  the  pungent  paragraph. 


A    SPLENDID    OARSMAN. 

(From  The  New  Orleans,  La.,  Picayune,  February  27.) 
Charles    S.    Francis,   the   new   United    States    Minister   to 
Greece,  is  a  splendid  oarsman,  and  in  1876,  during  his  senior 
year  at  Cornell,  won  the  single  scull  championship  in  the 
intercollegiate  regatta. 


84  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

DIPLOMATIC    HEREDITY. 

(From  The  Atchison,  Kan.,  Globe,  January  7.) 
If  diplomatic  ability  may  be  supposed  to  run  in  a  family, 
the  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  to 
succeed  Mr.  Hardy  as  United  States  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia,  is  singularly  appropriate,  since  his 
father,  John  M.  Francis,  was  Minister  to  Greece  during  the 
administration  of  President  Grant.  Mr.  Francis  succeeded 
his  father  in  another  position,  that  of  editor  of  The  Troy 
Times,  which  was  founded  by  the  older  Francis.  Mr.  Francis 
is  about  45  years  old,  and  is  a  graduate  of  Cornell.  In  his 
senior  year  at  the  university  he  won  the  single  scull 
championship  at  the  intercollegiate  regatta.  Mr.  Francis 
has  always  kept  up  a  warm  interest  in  aquatic  sports,  and 
the  sea-girt  land  of  the  Hellenes  should  afford  him  much 
opportunity  of  indulging  in  his  favorite  diversions. 


WELL    DESERVED. 

(From  The  Baltimore,  Md.,  Herald,  December  22.) 
Thirty  years  ago  editor  Francis  of  The  Troy  Times  was 
appointed  American  Minister  to  Greece.  Now  editor  Francis 
of  The  Troy  Times,  son  of  the  first  editor  of  the  same  paper, 
has  been  appointed  to  the  same  position  of  honor.  It  is  to 
be  said  that  in  each  instance  the  honor  was  well  deserved. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  85 


COMMENT    IN    GREECE. 


The  Greek  newspapers  had  a  cordial  welcome  for 
Mr.  Francis,  for  he  and  his  father  were  remembered  by 
many  in  Athens.  The  following  extracts  (translated)  are 
from  papers  published  in  Athens,  Greece: 


THE    NEW    AMERICAN 
AMBASSADOR. 

(Prom  The  Town,  January  5.) 

To  the  congratulatory  letter  of  the  State  Consul  of  New 
York,  Mr.  Demosthenes  Botassi,  written  to  the  recently 
honored  ambassador  of  the  United  States  to  Athens,  Charles 
S.  Francis,  the  latter  replied  as  follows: 

Troy,  December  22,  1900. 
My  dear  Mr.  Botassi:  — 

Your  so  nicely  expressed  congratulations  over  the  honor 
conferred  upon  me  as  ambassador  to  Greece  delighted  me 
greatly,  and  they  pleased  me  all  the  more  inasmuch  as  I  had 
the  pleasure  of  a  personal  acquaintance  with  you  while  still 
young,  when  my  father  was  ambassador  at  Athens. 

I  am  exceedingly  thankful  to  you  for  the  words  which  you 
write  about  my  beloved  father,  and  the  great  love  which  the 
Greeks  felt  for  him.  In  reality  he  was  a  true  friend  of  Greece, 
of  the  King  and  of  the  Greek  people.  If  I  may  venture,  I 
will  express  the  hope  that  when  I,  too,  shall  depart  from 
Greece  I  may  also  be  able  to  boast  that  I  have  taken  with  me 
the  friendship  of  your  citizens,  although  I  fear  that  I  may 
never  hope  to  be  deemed  worthy  of  holding  in  the  hearts  of 
your  fellow  countrymen  the  enviable  position  which  my 
honored  father  held. 

I  will  be  greatly  pleased  if  I  may  see  you  before  my 
departure  for  my  new  place,  because  I  will  be  assisted  in  my 
mission  if  I  may  speak  with  you  and  plan,  in  whatever  way 
we  can,  to  better  the  commercial  relations  existing  between 
Greece  and  the  United  States. 


86  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

Wishing  you  a  Merry  Christmas  and  a  Happy  New  Year, 
and  thanking  you  again  for  your  words  of  congratulation, 
my  dear  Mr.  Botassi,  I  beg  to  remain, 

Yours  very  sincerely, 

CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS. 


THE    NEW   AMBASSADOR. 

(From  The  Thermopylae,  December  22.) 
Most  hearty  is  the  welcome  given  by  all  American  journals 
to  the  appointment  of  Charles  S.  Francis  as  ambassador  of 
the  United  States  at  Athens,  as  we  announced  in  a  former 
issue.  Mr.  Francis  is  the  editor-in-chief  and  proprietor  of 
The  Times  of  Troy,  in  the  State  of  New  York.  Though 
without  experience  elsewhere  in  the  public  service  at  home, 
he  is  thoroughly  skilled  in  diplomacy  and  its  appropriate 
duties  by  the  daily  journal  under  his  control,  whose  articles 
are  always  highly  esteemed. 

Thirty  years  ago  President  and  General  Grant  appointed 
his  father,  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  ambassador  at  Athens,  and 
during  his  three  years  of  public  service  there,  his  son,  who 
is  now  the  appointed  ambassador,  served  as  private  secretary, 
and  discharged  all  the  duties  of  that  office.  Afterwards  he 
was  the  companion  of  his  father  when  he  journeyed  as  an 
ambassador  to  Portugal  and  Austria,  and  the  son  was 
everywhere  under  training  for  diplomatic  duties.  His  Daily 
Times  is  everywhere  regarded  as  most  able  and  as  well  fitted 
to  exert  a  wide  influence.  Everywhere  this  appointment  is 
approved  by  all  statesmen  of  the  country. 


THE   NEW   AMBASSADOR   FROM 
AMERICA. 

(From  The  Household,  December  30.) 

The  report  is  confirmed  that  our  ambassador  from  the 
United  States  of  America,  Mr.  Hardy,  is  changed  and  sent 
to  Switzerland.  In  his  stead  is  appointed  the  distinguished 
editor,  Charles  S.  Francis.  The  new  ambassador  assumes  for 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE 


the  first  time  a  public  position,  but  his  knowledge  gives  pledge 
of  a  good  standing  in  the  diplomatic  circle  to  which  he  is  no 
stranger  and  for  which  he  is  not  unprepared.  Thirty  years 
ago  and  for  three  years  his  father,  John  M.  Francis,  remained 
at  Athens  as  envoy  from  America,  and  his  son  Charles  served 
him  as  secretary.  The  elder  Francis,  after  serving  very 
honorably  as  envoy  at  Portugal  and  Austria,  left  this  service 
and  founded  The  Troy  Times,  which  soon  became  known  as 
an  instrument  of  experienced  leaders  ready  to  teach  the  right 
course  of  action  to  men  of  intelligence. 

In  the  management  of  this  journal  the  son  succeeded  his 
father  when  he  died,  and  to-day  he  was  called  to  render  his 
services  in  the  diplomatic  circle.  The  new  ambassador  was 
appointed  also  for  the  courts  of  Roumania  and  Servia. 


FAREWELL    WORDS. 


The  Departure  of  United  States  Minister  Francis  for 
His  Post  of  Official  Duty. — The  Employees  of  The 
Troy  Times  Make  a  Good-bye  Call. — Resolutions  and  a 
Response. 


(From  The  Troy  Times,  January  24.) 

Charles  S.  Francis,  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  left  Troy 
on  the  2 : 25  o'clock  train  this  afternoon  for  New  York,  whence 
he  will  sail  Saturday  at  11  a.  m.  on  the  Kaiser  Wilhelm  II..  of 
The  North  German  Lloyd  Steamship  Company,  for  Naples, 
thence  to  go  to  his  new  post  of  duty  at  Athens.  Greece.  Mr. 
Francis  will  be  accompanied  by  his  three  daughters.  Owing 
to  the  serious  illness  at  Ithaca  of  Mrs.  Francis'  mother,  Mrs. 
H.  C.  Evans,  Mrs.  Francis  will  defer  her  departure  from  this 
country  until  a  later  date,  when  she  will  be  accompanied 
by  her  son  Pomeroy.  John  M.  Francis  will  continue  his 
studies  at  Cornell  University. 

VISITED     BY     EMPLOYEES. 

Yesterday  afternoon  the  employees  of  The  Troy  Times 
called  upon  Mr.  Francis  in  his  private  office  in  The  Troy 
Times  building.  Benjamin  Van  Deusen,  the  oldest  employee 
of  The  Troy  Times,  having  been  in  the  service  of  this  paper 
nearly  fifty  years,  was  spokesman  for  the  party.  Advancing 
to  Mr.  Francis,  Mr.  Van  Deusen  read  the  following  resolutions, 
which  had  been  beautifully  engrossed  and  had  been  signed 
by  every  employee  of  The  Troy  Times: 

CORDIAL     RESOLUTIONS. 

Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis,  Editor  and  Proprietor  of  The  Troy 

Times. 

Dear  Sir:  On  the  occasion  of  your  departure  to  a  post  of 
important  diplomatic  duty  it  is  the  desire  of  the  employees  of 
The  Times  to  tender  to  you  an  expression  of  their  good  will 
and  esteem. 


90  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

The  office  of  United  States  Envoy  Extraordinary  and 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  to 
which  you  have  been  appointed,  is  one  of  high  honor  and 
responsibility.  The  appointment  is  made  the  more  impressive, 
as  it  is  most  suitable,  because  of  the  fact  that  a  like  distinction 
was  accorded  Hon.  John  M.  Francis,  the  founder  of  The  Troy 
Times,  and  for  forty-six  years  its  editor.  Chosen  by  the  great 
soldier  and  statesman,  Ulysses  S.  Grant,  then  President  of 
the  United  States,  to  be  Minister  to  Greece,  Hon.  John  M. 
Francis  filled  that  exalted  station  with  the  highest  credit 
to  his  country  and  to  himself.  Later,  as  the  American 
representative  at  the  Courts  of  Portugal  and  Austria-Hungary, 
he  rounded  out  a  diplomatic  career  marked  by  the  ablest  and 
most  patriotic  service. 

It  is  a  very  happy  coincidence,  and  one  we  believe  without 
parallel,  that  you,  succeeding  your  illustrious  father  as  editor 
and  proprietor  of  The  Troy  Times,  should  also  be  selected 
for  the  same  position  he  held  at  the  Court  of  Greece.  Your 
nomination  by  President  McKinley  and  the  Senate's  prompt 
confirmation  form  a  notable  recognition  of  merit  and  fitness, 
and  give  assurance  that  American  interests  in  the  countries 
to  which  you  are  accredited  will  be  guarded  with  scrupulous 
care  and  the  functions  of  your  office  be  discharged  with 
perfect  courtesy. 

We  hereby  proffer  to  you  our  hearty  and  sincere  congratu 
lations  upon  the  distinguished  honor  of  which  you  are  the 
recipient.  You  have  ever  been  one  of  the  kindest  and  most 
considerate  of  employers,  and  it  is  both  a  pleasure  and  a 
privilege  to  testify  to  the  cordial  relations  existing  between 
you  and  those  who  are  in  your  service  and  associated  with 
you  as  co-laborers.  You  will  take  with  you  abroad,  and 
wherever  you  go,  our  warmest  wishes  for  the  continued  health 
and  happiness  of  yourself  and  family,  and  the  hope  that  you 
may  be  spared  for  many  years  of  active  and  effective 
usefulness  to  your  country  and  to  the  community  which  counts 
you  as  one  of  its  most  distinguished  and  valued  members. 

With  great  respect  we  subscribe  ourselves, 
Very  truly  yours, 

(Here  follow  the  names  of  the  employees  of  The  Troy 
Times.) 

A     GIFT     AS     A  SOUVENIR. 

Mr.  Van  Deusen  added:  "In  connection  with  this  and  as  a 
further  slight  consideration  of  your  kindness  to  us  all,  in 
behalf  of  the  employees  of  The  Troy  Times  I  present  you 
with  this  portfolio." 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  91 

The  speaker  then  handed  to  Mr.  Francis  an  elegant  portfolio 
intended  for  carrying  official  documents,  and  suitably 
inscribed. 

AN     APPRECIATIVE     RESPONSE. 

Though  greatly  affected  by  this  demonstration  of  esteem 
from  those  with  whom  he  has  been  in  close  contact  for  so 
many   years,   Mr.    Francis   made   response   in   the   following 
words: 
Mr.  Van  Deusen  and  Gentlemen  of  The  Troy  Times: 

I  cannot  convey  to  you  in  words  my  appreciation  of  your 
visit  here  this  afternoon,  and  of  your  expression  of  friendship 
and  esteem  for  me.  My  appointment  has  been  most  gratifying 
to  me.  and  the  words  of  congratulation  that  have  been 
addressed  to  me  by  friends  have  been  very  much  appreciated, 
but  I  assure  you  no  congratulations  have  carried  with  them 
the  weight  that  your  congratulations  do  to-day.  We  are  like 
one  family.  We  are  united.  I  have  grown  up  with  you. 
Some  of  you  have  known  me  from  babyhood;  many  of  you 
I  have  known  from  early  boyhood  to  manhood,  and  these 
expressions  of  your  sentiment  toward  me  are  thoroughly 
appreciated.  I  am  sure  you  will  believe  me  when  I  tell  you 
I  am  very  much  affected  by  them.  They  mean  a  great  deal. 
They  come  from  those  who  were  associated  with  my  beloved 
father  when  he  began  his  life-work — the  founding  of  The 
Troy  Times.  Many  of  you  were  with  him  during  his  early 
struggles  and  later  on  as  this  newspaper  began  to  grow  and 
expand. 

I  feel  that  to  you,  gentlemen,  I  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude 
which  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  acknowledge  now  for  the 
faithful  services  you  have  rendered  The  Troy  Times  since 
my  father  passed  away  from  us.  Without  your  aid,  without 
your  faithful  efforts,  it  would  have  been  impossible  for  The 
Troy  Times  to  hold  the  position  it  holds  to-day.  I  cannot  in 
words  express  the  sentiments  of  my  heart.  I  am  about  to  go 
away;  I  trust  when  I  return  I  shall  see  you  all,  and  while  I 
am  absent  I  am  confident  your  efforts  will  be  directed  toward 
maintaining  The  Troy  Times  as  it  is  now  maintained. 

I  go  away  feeling  that  you  will  work  the  harder  to  promote 
the  interests  of  this  paper  than  you  would  if  I  were  at  home. 
No  newspaper  proprietor  in  this  country  is  surrounded  by 
more  loyal  and  more  capable  men  than  those  who  are 
associated  with  me  in  the  work  of  The  Troy  Times,  and  I 
leave  home  confident  that  during  my  absence  my  interests 
will  be  in  safe  hands. 


CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 


It  is  always  painful  to  say  good-bye  to  those  for  whom  we 
have  respect  and  in  whom  we  have  confidence,  but  I  assure 
you  that  to  me  saying  good-bye  to  you  men — faithful  employees 
of  The  Troy  Times,  without  whom  I  would  be  weak  indeed — 
is  inexpressibly  sad.  I  trust  when  I  return  that  we  may  all 
meet,  and  while  I  am  away  that  you  will  continue  to  work 
faithfully  for  this  paper,  the  heritage  from  my  father,  for 
whom  you  had  unbounded  respect  and  affection.  I  hope  and 
believe  that  the  standard  of  The  Troy  Times  will  not  only 
be  kept  up  to  its  present  point,  but  that  it.  will  be  raised  still 
higher.  Gentlemen,  I  thank  you  very  much  indeed  for  this 
expression  of  good  will  and  sentiment  on  your  part,  and  I  can 
simply  say — God  bless  you  all! 

Each  of  the  employees  then  shook  hands  with  Mr.  Francis 
and  bade  him  good-bye. 

AT     THE     DEPOT. 

A  large  number  of  friends  assembled  at  the  Union  Depot 
this  afternoon  to  bid  farewell  to  Mr.  Francis.  As  the  train 
moved  out  at  2:25  o'clock  there  was  a  waving  of  hats  and 
handkerchiefs,  while  railroad  torpedoes  sounded  a  salute  until 
the  train  was  out  of  sight  in  the  tunnel.  At  Madison  Street 
there  was  another  salvo  of  torpedoes. 

DOWN     THE     BAY. 

On  invitation  of  Hon.  James  A.  Dumont,  Supervising 
Inspector  General  of  the  United  States  steamboat  service,  a 
number  of  personal  friends  of  Mr.  Francis  in  this  city,  New 
York  and  Ithaca  will  say  good-bye  to  Mr.  Francis  Saturday 
morning  from  the  deck  of  the  United  States  revenue  cutter 
Manhattan,  Captain  Herring.  The  Manhattan  will  escort  the 
Kaiser  Wilhelm  II.  down  New  York  Bay,  and  will  then  return 
with  its  party  of  guests. 


A   TOUCHING    ASSURANCE    OF 
ESTEEM. 

(From  The  Troy  Record,  January  24.) 

Colonel  Charles  S.  Francis,  editor  and  proprietor  of  The 

Troy  Times,  was  last  evening  given  a  touching  assurance  of 

the  esteem  and  good  will  of  the  employees  in  The  Times 

establishment,  from  the  office  boy  up  to  the  editorial  sanctum. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  93 

The  evidence  of  attachment  and  pleasure  over  honor  conferred 
upon  their  chief  took  the  form  of  a  presentation,  and  the 
present  was  a  very  handsome  and  appropriate  one,  being  an 
artistically  made  and  adorned  portfolio  of  alligator  leather, 
lined  with  French  calf,  and  mounted  with  a  silver  monogram 
plate  engraved  as  follows: 

"To  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis,  United  States  Envoy  Extra 
ordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Greece,  Roumania 
and  Servia. 

"With  best  wishes  from  the  employees  of  The  Troy  Times." 
In  connection  with  the  portfolio  was  also  a  silver  plate 
on  which  is  engraved  Colonel  Francis'  name,  to  be  part  of 
the  equipment.  The  gift  was  the  joint  offering  of  all  the 
employees,  and  just  before  Colonel  Francis  left  his  office  last 
evening  the  sanctum  was  invaded  by  the  presentation  force, 
headed  by  the  venerable  Benj.  Van  Deusen,  who  for  more 
than  fifty  years  has  been  in  the  employ  of  The  Times  and  who 
taught  Colonel  Francis  to  set  his  first  line  of  type. 

The  veteran  foreman  of  the  job  office  made  an  appropriate 
address,  congratulating  Colonel  Francis  on  the  honor  the 
President  has  conferred  upon  him  in  the  appointment  to  a 
foreign  mission,  which  his  father  before  him  had  filled  with 
signal  credit,  xie  spoke  feelingly  of  the  sentiment  of  good 
will  entertained  by  all  in  The  Times  office  for  their  employer 
and  wished  him  in  their  name  Godspeed  on  the  journey  he 
begins  to-day,  and  success  in  his  diplomatic  career.  With  the 
oral  remarks  of  Mr.  Van  Deusen  went  a  prepared  address 
and  resolutions  signed  by  all  in  The  Times  establishment, 
and  which  rested  on  the  portfolio,  which  is  to  be  the  repository 
of  state  papers. 

Colonel  Francis,  although  genuinely  surprised,  made  a  happy 
response  and  was  greatly  moved  by  the  proof  of  attachment 
shown  him. 


DEPARTING    FOR    GREECE. 


Bidding  Farewell  to  Mr.  Francis  on  his  Departure  from 
New  York  for  his  Post  of  Official  Duty. — Accompanied 
down  the  Bay. — Demonstrations. 


The  following  invitation  was  sent  out  by  Hon.  James  A. 
Dumont,  Supervising  Inspector  General  in  the  United  States 
steamboat  inspection  service,  to  a  number  of  personal  friends 
of  Mr.  Francis: 

Treasury  Department,  Steamboat  Inspection  Service,  Office  of 
the  Supervising  Inspector  General. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  January  16,  1901. 

Dear  Sir:  You  are  respectfully  invited  to  join  with  other 
friends  in  bidding  good-bye  to  Hon.  Charles  S.  Francis  of  Troy, 
N,  Y.,  United  States  Minister  to  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia, 
on  his  departure  from  New  York  city  Saturday,  January  26, 
for  his  post.  Mr.  Francis  will  sail  on  the  S.  S.  Kaiser  Wilhelm 
II.,  of  the  North  German  Lloyd  Steamship  Company.  A 
United  States  revenue  cutter  will  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of 
Mr.  Francis'  friends  for  that  occasion,  and  will  accompany 
the  steamship  down  the  bay. 

The  revenue   cutter  will   leave  the  Barge   Office,  at  The 
Battery,  at  9:30  o'clock  A.  M.  sharp,  and  will  return  shortly 
after  noon.    A  luncheon  will  be  provided. 
Please  present  this  letter  at  the  gangway  of  the  cutter. 
Respectfully  yours, 

JAS.  A.  DUMONT. 


The  Troy  Times  of  January  26  contained  the  following 
especial  dispatch  from  New  York: 

Charles  S.  Francis,  United  States  Minister  to  Greece,  sailed 
to-day  on  the  steamer  Hohenzollern  for  Naples,  whence  he 


96  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

will  proceed  to  Athens.  The  steamer  was  accompanied  down 
the  bay  by  the  revenue  cutter  Manhattan,  aboard  which  were 
a  large  number  of  Mr.  Francis'  friends  to  wish  him  Godspeed. 
The  Manhattan  left  the  Barge  Office  at  9:30  a.  m.  and  the 
Hohenzollern  Jeft  her  pier  in  Brooklyn  at  11  o'clock,  amid 
cheers  and  whistle  salutes  from  the  party  aboard  the  cutter. 
The  steamer  moved  at  half  speed,  with  the  cutter  alongside, 
until  the  Marrows  were  reached,  when  the  Manhattan  gave  a 
parting  salute  and  those  aboard  repaired  to  the  cabin  to 
partake  of  luncheon.  The  cutter  returned  to  the  Barge  Office 
soon  after  1  o'clock. 

Those  aboard  the  revenue  cutter  included:  Ex-Gov.  Frank 
S.  Black,  Mayor  Daniel  B.  Conway,  Congressman-elect  William 
H.  Draper,  Commissioner  of  Public  Safety  Mark  J.  Coyle, 
County  Judge  Henry  T.  Nason,  District  Attorney  W.  O. 
Howard,  Sheriff  M.  A.  Heeran,  Hon.  Levi  B.  Worden, 
Chairman  of  the  Republican  County  Committee;  State  Senator 
Michael  Russell,  Assemblyman  John  F.  Ahern,  Assistant 
District  Attorney  Jarvis  P.  O'Brien,  Assessor  R.  A.  Patchke, 
Assessor  J.  V.  Jacobs,  Health  Officer  C.  E.  Nichols,  M.  D.; 
Rev.  Henry  R.  Freeman,  Hon.  L.  E.  Griffith,  William  H.  Frear, 
Peter  McCarthy,  Dr.  W.  P.  Mason,  Col.  Arthur  MacArthur, 
F.  W.  Joslyn,  W.  J.  Tyner,  John  M.  Francis,  Pomeroy  T. 
Francis,  William  B.  Wilson,  David  S.  Hasbrouck,  William  H. 
Anderson,  Robert  B.  Waters,  Horace  Rescott  and  James  H. 
Potts  of  Troy;  Gen.  James  A.  Dumont,  Supervising  Inspector 
General  of  the  United  States  Steamboat  Service,  and  C.  A. 
Hamilton,  of  Washington;  Hon.  G.  Hilton  Scribner,  ex- 
Secretary  of  State,  of  Yonkers;  Prof.  H.  Morse  Stephens, 
Prof.  L.  A.  Wait,  Prof.  D.  C.  Lee  and  Prof.  E.  A.  Fuertes,  of 
Cornell  University;  J.  W.  Hutt,  General  Manager,  and  T.  N. 
Smith,  Superintendent,  of  The  National  Express  Company; 
Hon.  John  A.  Sleicher,  editor  of  Leslie's  Weekly;  Hon.  J. 
Edward  Simmons,  President  of  the  Fourth  National  Bank; 
Hon.  Andrew  H.  Green,  "Father  of  Greater  New  York;"  D.  N. 
Botassi,  Greek  Consul  General;  Col.  Abraham  Gruber,  C.  E. 
Lambert,  General  Passenger  Agent  of  the  West  Shore 
Railroad;  R.  C.  Jackson,  Frank  W.  Mack,  Superintendent  of 
the  Associated  Press;  William  S.  Quigley  of  The  New  York 
Mail  and  Express,  Col.  Henry  W.  Sackett,  Fred  R.  Fortmeyer 
and  W.  R.  Bronk,  of  New  York;  C.  V.  Swain  of  Boston,  W.  F. 
McLean  of  Prattsburgh,  A.  H.  Allen  of  Petersburgh,  Andrew 
B.  Jones  of  Albany,  W.  D.  Barnes  of  Nassau  and  James 
Thompson  of  Valley  Falls. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  97 


ESCORTED    DOWN  THE    BAY. 

The  New  York  Mail  and  Express  says: 

More  than  sixty  of  his  friends,  including  ex-Gov.  Frank  S. 
Black,  went  down  the  bay  to-day  on  the  revenue  cutter 
Manhattan  to  give  a  rousing  send-off  to  Hon.  Charles  S. 
Francis  of  Troy,  the  new  United  States  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia,  who  went  away  on  the  Hohenzollern. 
Mrs.  Francis  was  to  have  made  the  trip  on  the  same  ship, 
but  her  mother,  Mrs.  H.  C.  Evans  of  Ithaca,  is  seriously 
ill.  Mrs.  Francis  hurried  to  Ithaca,  and  will  proceed  to 
Athens  in  a  later  steamer.  Mr.  Francis'  three  daughters, 
Helen,  Riette  and  Margaret,  accompanied  him  on  the 
Hohenzollern,  which  was  formerly  the  Kaiser  Wilhelm  II. 
In  addition  to  those  who  went  down  the  bay  on  the  cutter 
an  army  of  Mr.  Francis'  friends  gathered  at  the  North 
German  Lloyd  pier  in  Brooklyn  to  bid  the  diplomat  "bon 
voyage." 

TOOK     UP     THE     SALUTATION. 

The  Manhattan  left  the  Barge  Office  wharf  at  9:30  and 
headed  across  the  East  River  to  where  the  Hohenzollern  was 
lying.  Hon.  James  A.  Dumont,  the  Supervising  Inspector 
General  of  the  Steamboat  Service,  through  whose  efforts  the 
Manhattan  was  secured,  had  charge  of  the  cutter.  The 
Hohenzollern  was  delayed  in  getting  away  because  of  the 
inability  of  the  'longshoremen  to  get  the  freight  on  board. 
As  a  result  the  steamer  did  not  back  out  into  the  stream 
until  noon.  The  Manhattan  began  a  clamorous  toot  for 
recognition  as  she  did  so,  and  all  the  boats  of  the  vicinity 
took  up  tne  salute. 

Mr.  Francis  made  a  short  address  to  some  of  his  friends 
just  before  the  ship  backed  away.  He  said  that  it  afforded 
him  great  pleasure  to  go  as  the  American  representative  to 
a  mission  in  which  his  father  had  served  many  years  ago. 

"They  say,"  said  Mr.  Francis,  "that  he  made  a  first-class 
Minister.  I  have  hopes  of  having  somebody  say  that  of  me. 
•I'm  going  to  try  hard  at  all  events.  If  I  can  improve  the 
commercial  and  social  connections  between  those  countries 
and  our  own,  depend  upon  me  to  do  so." 

GAVE     A     PARTING    SALUTE. 

The  Manhattan  went  down  as  far  as  the  Narrows  with  the 
steamer  and  screamed  a  parting  salute  to  her  under  the 


98  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 

frowning  guns  of  Fort  Wadsworth.  A  luncheon  was  afterward 
served  on  the  Manhattan.  Among  those  who  did  honor  on 
the  cutter  to  the  new  diplomat  were  the  following: 

C.  E.  Lambert  of  the  West  Shore  Railroad,  State  Senator 
M.  Russell,  Col.  Henry  W.  Sackett,  Prof.  H.  Morse  Stephens 
of  Cornell  University,  Hon.  G.  Hilton  Scribner,  ex-Secretary 
of  New  York  State;  D.  N.  Botassi,  Greek  Consul  General  at 
New  York;  Mayor  Daniel  E.  Conway  of  Troy,  W.  H.  Draper, 
Congressman-elect  of  Rensselaer  County;  Rev.  Henry  R. 
Freeman  of  St.  John's  Church,  Troy;  Prof.  E.  A.  Fuertes  of 
Cornell,  J.  W.  Hutt,  General  Manager  National  Express 
Company;  District  Attorney  W.  O.  Howard  of  Rensselaer, 
Prof.  D.  C.  Lee  of  Cornell,  R.  C.  Jackson  of  the  railway  mail 
service,  Mark  J.  Coyle,  Commissioner  of  Public  Safety,  Troy; 
W.  B.  Wilson,  W.  H.  Anderson,  James  H.  Potts,  D.  S. 
Hasbrouck,  R.  B.  Waters,  Horace  Rescott,  of  The  Troy  Times, 
which  Mr.  Francis  owns;  Abe  Gruber,  Andrew  H.  Green, 
L.  E.  Griffith,  W.  D.  Barnes,  James  Thompson,  M.  A.  Heeran, 
Sheriff  of  Rensselaer  County;  C.  A.  Hamilton  of  Washington, 
Andrew  B.  Jones  of  Albany,  W.  H.  Frear  of  Troy,  F.  W. 
Joslyn,  Troy  Record;  W.  F.  McLean  of  Prattsburgh,  W.  P. 
Mason  of  the  Rensselaer  Polytechnic  Institute,  Arthur 
MacArthur  of  the  Troy  Budget,  Dr.  C.  E.  Nichols,  Health 
Officer  of  Troy;  Henry  T.  Nason,  County  Judge  of  Rensselaer 
County,  Hon.  Jar  vis  P.  O'Brien,  R.  A.  Patchke,  T.  N.  Smith, 
J.  Edward  Simmons,  William  J.  Tyner,  L.  E.  Worden,  L.  A. 
Wait,  John  M.  and  Pomeroy  T.  Francis,  sons  of  the  Minister; 
ex-Governor  Black  and  General  Dumont. 


OFF   FOR    NEW    DUTIES. 

The  Brooklyn  Eagle  of  yesterday  said: 

The  departure  of  Charles  S.  Francis  of  Troy,  yesterday, 
to  take  up  the  duties  of  United  States  Minister  to  Greece, 
Roumania  and  Servia,  was  the  occasion  for  a  farewell 
demonstration  on  the  part  of  his  friends,  which  must  have 
proved  a  grateful  Godspeed  to  the  American  representative 
in  the  station  formerly  so  creditably  filled  by  his  father, 
John  M.  Francis.  Gen.  James  A.  Dumont  of  the  Treasury 
Department,  a.  close  friend  of  the  older  Francis,  offered  the 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE  99 

services  of  the  revenue  cutter  Manhattan  to  the  friends  of 
the  ambassador  for  the  purpose  of  a  farewell  party  to 
accompany  him  down  the  bay,  and  more  than  fifty  of  them 
accepted  the  invitation  of  the  Supervising  Inspector  General. 
Mr.  Francis,  accompanied  by  his  three  daughters,  sailed  on 
the  North  German  Lloyd  steamship  Hohenzollern  from  pier 
26,  Brooklyn,  at  11:45  o'clock  yesterday  morning.  On  account 
of  the  serious  illness  of  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Francis  the 
ambassador's  wife  did  not  accompany  him.  His  son,  John 
M.,  who  is  a  student  at  Cornell  University,  in  the  class  of 
1902,  will  remain  to  finish  his  course  at  that  institution. 

ON     THE     MANHATTAN. 

The  guests  of  General  Dumont,  who  met  to  bid  Mr.  Francis 
good-bye,  boarded  the  Manhattan  at  South  Ferry,  Manhattan, 
at  9:30  o'clock  yesterday.  Among  those  on  board  were 
ex-Gov.  Frank  S.  Black,  Andrew  H.  Green,  Mayor  Daniel  E. 
Conway  of  Troy,  Gen.  James  A.  Dumont,  Congressman-elect 
William  H.  Draper,  Judge  Henry  T.  Nason,  Matthew  A. 
Heeran,  W.  O.  Howard,  former  Secretary  of  State  G.  Hilton 
Scribner,  Michael  Russell,  Jarvis  P.  O'Brien,  John  F.  Ahern, 
J.  W.  Hutt,  Rev.  Henry  R.  Freeman,  John  M.  Francis, 
Pomeroy  T.  Francis,  Prof.  L.  A.  Wait,  E.  A.  Fuertes,  H. 
Morse  Stephens,  D.  C.  Lee,  of  Cornell  University;  W.  P. 
Mason  of  the  Rensselaer  Polytechnic  Institute,  D.  N.  Botassi, 
the  Greek  Consul  General;  F.  W.  Joslyn  of  The  Troy  Record, 
W.  J.  Tyner  of  The  Troy  Standard,  W.  B.  Wilson,  D.  S. 
Hasbrouck,  W.  II.  Anderson,  Horace  Rescott,  Robert  B. 
Waters  and  James  H.  Potts,  of  The  Troy  Times;  J.  V.  Jacobs, 
R.  A.  Patchke. 

ON     THE     PIER. 

The  Manhattan  left  South  Ferry  at  10  o'clock  and  steamed 
across  East  River  to  the  pier  where  the  Hohenzollern  lay. 
The  entire  party  left  the  revenue  cutter  and  went  on  board 
the  ocean  liner.  They  were  met  at  the  gangway  by  Mr. 
Francis,  his  wife  and  family,  and  for  an  hour  the  ambassador 
held  an  informal  levee,  accepting  the  congratulations  and 
good  wishes  of  his  friends.  An  interesting  spectator  of  the 
reception  on  the  deck  of  the  Hohenzollern  was  the  somewhat 
notorious  pugilist,  Norman  Selby,  known  in  pugilistic  circles 
as  Kid  McCoy.  McCoy  with  his  twice  wedded  wife  is  en  route 
to  Rome,  Naples,  Florence  and  Athens  to  complete  his 
classical  education, 


100  CHARLES  S.  FRANCIS 


RACING     ALONGSHORE. 

When  the  sailors  gave  the  "all  ashore"  warning  there  was 
a  wild  scramble  off  the  liner  and  back  to  the  revenue  cutter. 
The  Manhattan  took  advantage  of  the  delay  in  freeing  the 
big  steamship  from  her  dock  to  get  a  good  start  down  the 
Buttermilk  Channel,  expecting  to  steal  a  march  on  the  liner 
by  cutting  inside  of  Governor's  Island.  To  the  surprise  of 
General  Dumont  the  Hohenzollern  turned  her  nose  down 
the  Buttermilk  Channel,  and  in  spite  of  the  best  speed  the 
little  cutter  could  make  the  ocean  liner  was  soon  racing 
alongside.  For  half  a  mile  the  cutter  at  top  speed 
succeeded  in  keeping  abreast,  and  during  all  that  time  the 
party  on  board  the  Manhattan  kept  up  a  constant  cheering 
and  waving  of  handkerchiefs  to  Mr.  Francis  and  his  daughters, 
who  stood  on  the  deck  of  the  Hohenzollern.  The  snappy 
Cornell  yell  was  given  again  and  again,  and  the  ambassador 
recognized  it  each  time  by  raising  his  hat  and  bowing.  Mr. 
Francis  graduated  from  Cornell  University  in  1877. 

Gradually  the  large  vessel  increased  her  speed  and  began 
to  draw  away  from  the  cutter,  and  the  cheers  from  the  liner 
became  less  and  less  distinct.  The  cutter  kept  up  the  chase 
down  as  far  as  the  Narrows,  the  wash  from  the  liner  leaving 
mountainous  waves,  which  broke  over  the  bow  of  the 
Manhattan,  wetting  all  who  had  the  temerity  to  remain  out 
of  doors. 

THE     HOMEWARD     JOURNEY. 

When  the  liner  had  left  the  farewell  party  so  far  behind 
that  the  voices  of  those  on  board  could  no  longer  be  heard 
nor  forms  distinguished,  the  Manhattan,  with  a  last  salute 
from  her  whistle,  turned  back  up  the  bay  and  returned  to 
South  Ferry. 

On  the  way  back  a  luncheon  was  served  to  those  whose 
appetites  were  not  taken  away  by  the  rocking  of  the  vessel. 
After  luncheon  a  number  of  the  guests,  including  former 
Secretary  of  State  Scribner,  Professor  Wait,  General  Dumont 
and  several  others,  collected  in  the  pilot  house  and  told  stories 
reminiscent  of  the  elder  Francis  and  the  athletic  prowess  of 
the  present  ambassador  when  he  was  the  champion  oarsman 
and  swimmer  of  Cornell.  The  farewell  party  enjoyed  the 
occasion  thoroughly  and  nothing  occurred  to  mar  the  success 
of  the  excursion.  Mrs.  Francis  and  her  son  will  Join  Mr. 
Francis  in  Athens  later. 


A  PERSONAL  TRIBUTE 


101 


(From  The  Troy  Times  of  January  28.) 
The  Trojans  who  went  to  New  York  to  bid  adieu  to  Mr. 
Francis  as  he  sailed  from  America's  shores  for  Greece 
returned  Saturday  evening  after  a  delightful  day,  and  one 
that  will  always  be  a  pleasant  memory.  The  friends  from 
Troy,  Ithaca,  New  York  and  other  places,  who  were  present 
on  invitation  of  Gen.  James  A.  Dumont,  Supervising  Inspector 
General  of  the  United  States  Steamboat  Service,  were  guests 
of  General  Dumont  on  the  revenue  cutter  Manhattan.  The 
General  was  an  admirable  host  and  did  everything  possible 
for  the  comfort  of  his  guests.  His  son,  James  A.  Dumont,  Jr., 
of  New  York,  was  also  on  board. 

The  newspapers  of  the  metropolis  contained  accounts  of 
the  farewell.  The  New  York  Mail  and  Express  and  The 
Brooklyn  Eagle  had  representatives  aboard  the  cutter  in  the 
persons  of  Messrs.  Quigley  and  Tyrrell,  and  we  quote  from 
their  graphic  descriptions. 


A    SEMI-CENTENNIAL    REUNION. 


(From  The  Troy  Times,  June  26.) 

The  twenty-four  page  art  supplement  which  The  Troy 
Times  issued  yesterday  was  not  the  only  way  in  which  the 
working  force  of  The  Times  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary 
of  the  founding  of  this  journal  by  the  late  Hon.  John  M. 
Francis.  There  was  a  "family  gathering"  of  the  employees 
of  The  Troy  Times  last  evening  in  the  newspaper  composing 
room.  One  hundred  and  fifteen  persons  sat  down  to  tables 
spread  by  caterer  Graser  with  an  excellent  supper. 

Charles  S.  Francis,  on  leave  of  absence  from  his  diplomatic 
duties  as  representative  of  the  United  States  to  the  Courts 
of  Greece,  Roumania  and  Servia,  presided.  Mr.  Francis 
welcomed  the  assembled  company,  some  of  whom  had  been 
connected  with  The  Times  during  the  entire  period  of  its 
existence,  and  expressed  his  pleasure  that  he  was  able  to  be 
present  on  the  joyous  occasion.  Mr.  Francis  voiced  the 
veneration  of  all  for  the  memory  of  the  founder  of  The  Troy 
Times.  Informal  speeches  were  made  by  the  heads  of 
departments,  and  the  veterans  gave  interesting  reminiscences, 
but  as  everyone  was  off  duty  last  night  there  were  no 
reporters  present,  and  no  reports  of  the  speeches  can  be 
given.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  happiness  and  jollity  reigned 
supreme,  and  that  the  unity  of  The  Times  force,  the  pride 
in  the  achievements  and  traditions  of  this  paper  and  the 
loyal  determination  to  preserve  and  to  carry  forward  the 
ideals  of  the  founder  of  The  Troy  Times  as  upheld  by  the 
present  proprietor  were  manifest  throughout  all  the  exercises. 

Boring's  Orchestra  sent  out  instrumental  music  from  a 
bower  of  palms,  and  the  Empire  Male  Quartette — Ben 
Franklin,  Edwin  Humphrey,  Fred  C.  Comstock  and  James  C. 
Laing — gave  some  of  their  charming  songs,  while  Mr. 
Comstock  added  solo  numbers,  sung  in  his  captivating  style. 

To-day  the  composing  room  of  The  Troy  Times  is  the 
scene  of  the  activities  of  labor  instead  of  recreation,  but 
The  Troy  Times  force  will  never  forget  the  unity  and 
happiness  of  the  celebration  which  inaugurated  the  second 
half-century  of  the  history  of  the  daily  journal  with  which 
they  are  connected. 


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